[opensource-dev] Third party viewer policy: commencement date

[Anders Arnholm]

Darmath wrote:
> On 21/03/2010 9:01 PM, Boy Lane wrote:
>> Just a couple of paragraphs that are in direct conflict with each other:
>>
>> "You [the developer] are in full compliance with the terms of the GNU 
>> General Public License ("GPL"), if your application uses the source 
>> code of the official Second Life viewer, which we have made available 
>> under the GPL."
>>
>
> I'm trying to understand what is the problem with LL's requiring the 
> developer to make *a representation or warrant* to LL's that they 
> comply with the GPL if their TPV uses code released by LL's under the 
> GPL.
>
Thats the following lines done add limitations on the developer, that 
aint in the GPL and the GPL clearly stated no further limitations can be 
added. This part of the police i think all ir very happy with, at least 
all developers, evem is not really needed. The GPL already states it.


> According to Cl 8 of the GPL:
> "You may not propagate or modify a covered work except as expressly 
> provided under this License"
>
> To me it makes sense that LL's would require the developer to* 
> /represent/ *to them or/ *warrant */to them that they are in 
> compliance with the GPL. After all the developer has to comply with it 
> anyway.  If a developer has doubts about providing a representation or 
> warranty about their compliance with the GPL shouldn't they be 
> thinking about whether or not they should be releasing the TPV at all?
Yes, but that you have to promise stuff hat maybe isn't compatible with 
the GPL. And i think it's just a matter of bad wording from the LL legal 
department...


>> "You [the developer] assume all risks, expenses, and defects of any 
>> Third-Party Viewers that you use, develop, or distribute"
>>
> Are you trying to suggest that these are inconsistent with clauses 15 
> and 16 of the GPL? If so i don't think so. This clause isn't impacting 
> upon the liability of a developer of a TPV in relation to the users of 
> the TPV that they develop. Although I
Then is should be rewriten to state that... Policies should be made 
understandbadle for anyone that should follow them. But if I agree on 
this, in this context don't tat make me responsible for the damages 
towars LL frm a user of my software? Could you expect anyone to really 
take that on there shulders? Don't the faq try to say this is not what's 
intended? And it the words is not the intentions should they not be changed?

>> "You [the developer] acknowledge and agree that we may require you to 
>> stop using or distributing a Third-Party Viewer"
>>
> I don't really see any problems with this.
Thats it's against the GPL, words and spirit. It clearly adds a 
limitation to the developer. The first part of 8c, would have covered, 
the needs to protect the SL grid. With out breaking the GPL part, and 
would have been whats trying to be defined in the FAQ and answers here.

"If a Third-Party Viewer or your use or distribution of it violates this 
Policy or any Linden Lab policy, your permission to access Second Life 
using the Third-Party Viewer shall terminate automatically. /You 
acknowledge and agree that we may require you to stop using or 
distributing a Third-Party Viewer for accessing Second Life if we 
determine that there is a violation./"


Personally I think the OpenBSD license is much better, it's written i so 
much clear language taht this kinds of hard to follow legal stuff don't 
happen. But now we have GPL and GPL only to follow.



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