Re: [net] nfc: Fix FSF address in file headers

[Jeff Kirsher <jeffrey.t.kirsher@intel.com>]

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On Sat, 2013-12-07 at 14:55 -0800, Joe Perches wrote:
> On Sat, 2013-12-07 at 14:49 -0800, Jeff Kirsher wrote:
> > On Sat, 2013-12-07 at 23:20 +0100, Arend van Spriel wrote:
> > > On 12/06/2013 05:56 PM, Jeff Kirsher wrote:
> > > > Several files refer to an old address for the Free Software Foundation
> > > > in the file header comment.  Resolve by replacing the address with
> > > > the URL<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>  so that we do not have to keep
> > > > updating the header comments anytime the address changes.
> > > 
> > > This seems to pop up from time to time and unfortunately the resolution 
> > > seems not consistent at those times. Why not simply refer to the full 
> > > license text that is in the COPYING file in the tree itself.
> > 
> > I, personally have only had one request in the last 10 years to change
> > our Intel Wired Ethernet headers and that was because the address
> > changed.  I am open to suggestions, although when I proposed either
> > updating the address to the current address or use the URL on LKML and
> > netdev, the response I got was to update to the use the URL.
> > 
> > I guess the only argument I would have against referring to the COPYING
> > in the tree itself is that the headers already state:
> > 
> > You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along
> > with this program;
> > 
> > (which refers to the COPYING file) and then it states...
> > 
> > if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc.,
> > 51 Franklin St - Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
> > 
> > This is the second part that needs cleanup if the file refers to the old
> > address.  So just by removing the address and providing the URL, you are
> > providing a place that users can get the license *if* the COPYING file
> > gets removed (or altered) by who ever releases the kernel.
> 
> Hi Jeff.
> 
> I think what you've done is fine, but remember that
> URLs come and go too.

True, I just wish that were true for those embarrassing pictures of me
20 years ago... <joking>

> 
> There was a discussion about this just a bit ago on lkml
> https://lkml.org/lkml/2013/10/6/158
> and this message was added to checkpatch recently:
> 
> "Do not include the paragraph about writing to the Free Software
> Foundation's mailing address from the sample GPL notice. The FSF has
> changed addresses in the past, and may do so again. Linux already
> includes a copy of the GPL.\n"

Thanks for the info, I overlooked that thread.



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