[Kolab-devel] z-push: problematic license

Alain abbas alain.abbas at libertech.fr
Sun Feb 14 01:47:39 CET 2010


hi
ths link is interesting about Activesync Patent
http://boycottnovell.com/2009/11/02/activesync-patent-trap-bilski/

Sascha Wilde a écrit :
> Hi Bernhard,
> hi everyone in the Kolab community,
>
> in the past few months and weeks z-push for Kolab[1] turned out to be an
> interesting alternative to the currently immature sync-ml support of the
> server.  Actually many of those who gave it a try seem quite excited
> about it!  :)
>
> That's why I just wanted to install a test setup of z-push support on
> demo.kolab.org.  And even more: I was planing to evaluate z-push support
> for integration in Kolab Server HEAD...
>
> Being quite careful about license issues I first had a look at the
> LICENSE file of the original z-push source and immediately stumbled
> across the following introducing paragraph:
>
>   NOTE: According to sec. 8 of the GNU General Public License (GPL), 
>   Version 2, the distribution of the Program in or to the 
>   United States of America is excluded from the scope of this license. 
>   The Program is licensed under GPL Version 2 only.
>
> While its true, that this limitation does perfectly coincide with
> section eight, IMNSHO it would be a unbearable burden for Kolab Server.
>
> This is not to say I'm all again using z-push with Kolab Server -- I'm
> not, it is a possibly great extension for everybody outside the US.
>
> BUT: 
> - I'd suggest mentioning this limitation on the z-push wiki page.
> - I advice against any incorporation in the official Kolab Server CVS or
>   packaging as long as the current z-push license pertains.
> - I would suggest to contact z-push upstream and ask about the reasons
>   for this license limitation.[2]
> - I'm totally unsure about the legal implications of adding this code to
>   a world wide accessible service like demo.kolab.org.  My feeling says
>   it would be ok, but INAL and so I will not do it for now.
>
> Comments?
>
> cheers
> sascha
>
> ps: fwiw: the license information in the kolab specific archive
>     backend_0_2.zip is defective to: 
>     - the source headers reference an non existing LICENSE file.
>     - only one of the two source files contains copyright information
>       other than the original copyright of Zarafa Deutschland GmbH.
>     It would be good if this could be fixed for the next version.
>
> [1]  http://wiki.kolab.org/index.php/Z_push
> [2]  of cause the idea would be to evaluate if a removal of this
>      limiting clause would be possible some way or the other
>   
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>
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