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1 | Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. |
2 | Copying and distribution of this file, with or without modification, | |
3 | are permitted provided the copyright notice and this notice are preserved. | |
4 | ||
5 | ||
571975c0 GM |
6 | NOTES ON COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES |
7 | ||
8 | Some terminology: | |
9 | ||
10 | A "copyright notice" consists of one or a few lines of this format: | |
11 | "Copyright (C) 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc." | |
12 | ||
13 | A "license notice" is a statement of permissions, and is usually much | |
14 | longer, eg the text "GNU Emacs is free software...". | |
15 | ||
16 | ||
17 | Every non-trivial file distributed through the Emacs CVS should be | |
18 | self-explanatory in terms of copyright and license. This includes | |
19 | files that are not distributed in Emacs releases (for example, the | |
20 | admin/ directory), because the whole Emacs CVS is publicly | |
21 | available. | |
22 | ||
23 | The definition of triviality is a little vague, but a rule of thumb is | |
24 | that any file with less than 15 lines of actual content is trivial. If | |
25 | a file is auto-generated (eg ldefs-boot.el) from another one in the | |
26 | CVS, then it does not really matter about adding a copyright statement | |
27 | to the generated file. | |
28 | ||
29 | The years in the copyright notice should be updated every year (see | |
30 | file "years" in this directory). The PS versions of refcards etc | |
31 | should display copyright notices (an exception to the rule about | |
32 | "generated" files), but these can just display the latest year. The | |
33 | full list of years should be kept in comments in the source file. If | |
34 | these are distributed in CVS, check in a regenerated version when the | |
35 | tex files are updated. | |
36 | ||
37 | Copyright changes should be propagated to any associated repositories | |
38 | (eg Gnus, MH-E), but I think in every case this happens automatically | |
39 | (?). | |
40 | ||
41 | All README (and other such text files) that are non-trivial and were | |
42 | added by Emacs developers need copyright and copying permission | |
43 | statements (see eg INSTALL in the top-level directory). | |
44 | ||
45 | All images files that allow for comments should have copyright and | |
46 | license statements. Whether or not this is possible, the information | |
47 | should be recorded in a README file in each directory with images. | |
48 | ||
49 | When installing a file with an "unusual" license (after checking first | |
50 | it is ok), put a copy of the copyright and license in the file (if | |
51 | possible. It's ok if this makes the file incompatible with its | |
52 | original format, if it can still be used by Emacs), or in a README | |
53 | file in the relevant directory. | |
54 | ||
55 | The vast majority of files are copyright FSF and distributed under the | |
56 | GPL. A few files (mainly related to language and charset support) are | |
57 | copyright AIST alone, or both AIST and FSF. (Contact Kenichi Handa | |
58 | with questions about legal issues in such files.) In all these cases, | |
59 | the copyright years in each file should be updated each year. | |
60 | ||
61 | There are some exceptions to the points in the previous paragraph, and | |
62 | these are listed below for reference, together with any files where | |
63 | the copyright needs to be updated in "unusual" ways. | |
64 | ||
65 | If you find any other such cases, please consult to check they are ok, | |
66 | and note them in this file. This includes missing copyright notices, | |
67 | and "odd" copyright holders. In most cases, individual authors should | |
68 | not appear in copyright statements. Either the copyright has been | |
69 | assigned (check copyright.list) to the FSF (in which case the original | |
70 | author should be removed and the year(s) transferred to the FSF); or | |
71 | else it is possible the file should not be in Emacs at all (please | |
72 | report!). | |
73 | ||
74 | [For reference, most of these points were established via email with | |
75 | rms, 2007/1, "Copyright years".] | |
76 | ||
77 | ||
b05db979 GM |
78 | lib-src/etags.c # print_version |
79 | lib-src/rcs2log # Copyright | |
80 | lisp/calc/calc-help.el # calc-full-help | |
81 | lisp/startup.el # fancy-splash-tail | |
82 | mac/Emacs.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/InfoPlist.strings | |
83 | mac/src/Emacs.r # resource 'vers' | |
84 | src/emacs.c | |
85 | - remember to change the latest copyright year in the --version output. | |
86 | [Post-release, will automate this like set-version does for version.] | |
87 | ||
88 | ||
571975c0 GM |
89 | <top-level>/install-sh |
90 | lispintro/install-sh | |
91 | - this file is copyright MIT, which is OK. Leave the copyright alone. | |
92 | ||
93 | etc/edt-user.doc | |
94 | - update BOTH notices in this file | |
95 | ||
d4c2a0cc GM |
96 | [etc/orgcard.tex, orgcard.ps - files removed 2007/1/29] |
97 | - with no assignment from Rooke, these files were removed. We are | |
98 | asking for an assignment, and if one is received the files will be | |
99 | replaced. | |
100 | ||
101 | leim/CXTERM-DIC/4Corner.tit, ARRAY30.tit, CCDOSPY.tit, ECDICT.tit, | |
102 | ETZY.tit, PY-b5.tit, Punct-b5.tit, Punct.tit, QJ-b5.tit, QJ.tit, | |
103 | SW.tit, TONEPY.tit, ZOZY.tit | |
571975c0 GM |
104 | - leave the copyrights alone. |
105 | ||
106 | leim/MISC-DIC/CTLau-b5.html, CTLau.html, cangjie-table.b5, cangjie-table.cns, | |
d4c2a0cc | 107 | pinyin.map, ziranma.cin |
571975c0 GM |
108 | - leave the copyright alone. |
109 | ||
110 | leim/SKK-DIC/SKK-JISYO.L | |
111 | ja-dic/ja-dic.el | |
112 | (the latter is auto-generated from the former). Leave the copyright alone. | |
113 | ||
114 | lib-src/etags.c | |
115 | - this has a copyright Ken Arnold. We are still deciding what should | |
116 | be done here (see below). | |
117 | ||
118 | lib-src/getopt1.c, getopt_int.h | |
119 | - these are from the GNU C library. Leave the copyrights alone. | |
120 | ||
1fbfb0b5 GM |
121 | lisp/play/tetris.el |
122 | - no special rules about the copyright. We note here that we believe | |
123 | (2007/1) there is no problem with our use of the name "tetris" or | |
124 | the concept. | |
125 | rms: "My understanding is that game rules as such are not copyrightable." | |
126 | <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2007-01/msg00960.html> | |
127 | ||
571975c0 GM |
128 | lispref/doclicense.texi |
129 | man/doclicense.texi | |
130 | - leave the copyright alone in this imported file. | |
131 | ||
132 | lisp/net/tramp.el | |
133 | - there are also copyrights in the body of the file. Update these too. | |
134 | ||
135 | msdos/is_exec.c, sigaction.c | |
136 | - these files are copyright DJ Delorie. Leave the copyrights alone. | |
e496f32f GM |
137 | Leave the Eli Zaretskii copyright in is_exec.c alone. See the |
138 | msdos/README file for the legal history of these files. | |
571975c0 GM |
139 | |
140 | src/gmalloc.c | |
d4c2a0cc GM |
141 | - contains numerous copyrights from the GNU C library. Leave them alone. |
142 | ||
448adfb9 | 143 | src/acldef.h, chpdef.h, ndir.h |
f5f4e20d GM |
144 | - see comments below. These files are OK to be released with Emacs |
145 | 22, but we may want to revisit them afterwards. | |
146 | ||
42285fc4 | 147 | [src/unexhp9k800.c - removed 2007/1/27] |
d4c2a0cc GM |
148 | [src/m/sr2k.h - removed 2007/1/27] |
149 | - First file removed due to legal uncertainties; second file removed | |
150 | due to dependency on first. Note that src/m/hp800.h is still needed on | |
151 | hp800 arch. | |
d881944f GM |
152 | NB we would like to re-add this file if we can. Please let us know |
153 | if you can clarify its legal status. | |
571975c0 | 154 | |
70adaef0 CY |
155 | etc/gnus-refcard.tex |
156 | etc/gnus-booklet.ps | |
157 | - gnus logo (= GNU Emacs logo) is FSF assigned. | |
571975c0 | 158 | |
571975c0 GM |
159 | |
160 | ||
f5f4e20d GM |
161 | *** These are copyright issues that need not be fixed until after |
162 | Emacs 22 is released (though if they can be fixed before, that is | |
163 | obviously good): | |
05630abe GM |
164 | |
165 | ||
d4c2a0cc GM |
166 | Is it OK to just `cvs remove' a file for legal reasons, or is |
167 | something more drastic needed? A removed file is still available from | |
f5f4e20d GM |
168 | CVS, if suitable options are applied. (This CVS issue obviously does |
169 | not affect a release). | |
42285fc4 | 170 | rms: will ask lawyer |
d4c2a0cc GM |
171 | |
172 | ||
f5f4e20d GM |
173 | REMOVED etc/orgcard.tex, orgcard.ps |
174 | Re-add these files if an assignment is received from Rooke. | |
175 | ||
176 | ||
448adfb9 | 177 | src/acldef.h, chpdef.h, ndir.h |
f5f4e20d GM |
178 | On legal advice from Matt Norwood, the following comment was added |
179 | to these files in Feb 2007: | |
180 | ||
181 | The code here is forced by the interface, and is not subject to | |
182 | copyright, constituting the only possible expression of the | |
183 | algorithm in this format. | |
184 | ||
185 | With the addition of this notice, these files are OK for the | |
186 | upcoming Emacs-22 release. Post-release, we can revisit this issue | |
187 | and possibly add a list of all authors who have changed these files. | |
188 | (details in email from Matt Norwood to rms, 2007/02/03). | |
189 | ||
190 | ||
191 | REMOVED src/unexhp9k800.c | |
192 | - we would like to re-add this file if possible. Please let us know | |
193 | if you can clarify its legal status. | |
194 | http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2007-02/msg00138.html | |
195 | ||
196 | ||
197 | ||
198 | *** These are copyright issues still to be addressed: | |
199 | ||
200 | ||
201 | Maybe some relevant comments here? | |
202 | <http://groups.google.com/group/linux.debian.legal/browse_thread/thread/123547ea95437a1f> | |
203 | ||
204 | ||
571975c0 GM |
205 | All README (and other such files) that are non-trivial and were added |
206 | by Emacs developers need copyright statements and copying permissions | |
207 | to be added. | |
42285fc4 GM |
208 | lisp/term/README (author)? |
209 | etc/BABYL? | |
210 | borderline "trivial" cases...? | |
e496f32f GM |
211 | Apparently these should all be placed under GPL, rather than the short |
212 | license we have been using till now. | |
571975c0 GM |
213 | |
214 | ||
6e0e1985 GM |
215 | Clarify the legal status of many image files. It's not necessary |
216 | to put a notice in each image (where the format allows it). It's OK to | |
217 | put the information in a README file in the associated directory. | |
218 | Files can be listed in groups. See etc/README for an example. | |
219 | Image files to consider (is there such a thing as a "trivial" image?): | |
70adaef0 | 220 | etc/emacs.xbm, gnu.xpm |
d4c2a0cc | 221 | etc/images/ |
571975c0 | 222 | |
db3788ea | 223 | |
571975c0 GM |
224 | admin/check-doc-strings |
225 | Author is Martin Buchholz, but no assignment from him on file, and | |
226 | rms has no way to reach him. | |
571975c0 GM |
227 | etc/ms-kermit - no copyright, but ms-7bkermit has one |
228 | etc/e/eterm-color.ti - no copyright | |
229 | rms: "I think that is not copyrightable under the merger doctrine | |
230 | because the entries are all forced. At least that is the case in the | |
231 | US; I am not sure whether we can rely on that in general." | |
232 | ||
49a33502 | 233 | For the above files, mail sent from rms to Matthew Norwood |
571975c0 GM |
234 | asking what to do (via Eben Moglen), 2007/1/22 ("Copyright years"). |
235 | ||
236 | ||
571975c0 GM |
237 | etc/sk-refcard.ps, pl-refcard.ps, cs-refcard.ps |
238 | These refcards need to be regenerated (by those with suitable TeX | |
239 | setups) to get updated copyrights. | |
240 | ||
241 | ||
571975c0 GM |
242 | lib-src/etags.c - no 'k.* arnold' in copyright.list' |
243 | rms: "That is ok, in principle. I used free code released by Ken | |
244 | Arnold as the starting point. However, it may be that we need to get | |
245 | and insert whatever his license was for his code." | |
246 | ||
42285fc4 GM |
247 | - 1984 version of ctags, with no copyright, posted to net.sources: |
248 | http://groups.google.com/group/net.sources/msg/a21b6c21be12a98d | |
249 | ||
571975c0 GM |
250 | |
251 | lwlib/lwlib-int.h, lwlib.h - no copyright | |
252 | lwlib/Makefile.in, lwlib-utils.c, lwlib.c - copyright Lucid | |
253 | lwlib/lwlib-Xaw.c - copyright Chuck Thompson | |
254 | lwlib/lwlib.c - copyright Lucid, but FSF copyright was added in 2002 - | |
255 | was that correct? | |
256 | rms: "I asked Matthew Norwood about these, I believe." | |
257 | ||
258 | ||
db3788ea GM |
259 | man/back.texi |
260 | - what license is appropriate for this file? Seems not to be used by | |
261 | anthing - just remove it? Actually seems to be part of the Emacs | |
262 | Lisp manual, not the Emacs manual. | |
d94114b2 GM |
263 | |
264 | ||
571975c0 GM |
265 | oldXMenu/ |
266 | - should there be any FSF copyrights at all in here? Some were added | |
267 | in 2005, without licence notices. Was this right? | |
268 | oldXMenu/Makefile.in, Makefile, Imakefile, descrip.mms, insque.c | |
269 | - issues described in mail to rms, 2006/12/17. | |
270 | rms: "I have asked for lawyer's advice about these." | |
271 | ||
272 | ||
448adfb9 | 273 | src/gnu.h |
571975c0 GM |
274 | src/m/mips4.h, news-r6.h, news-risc.h, pmax.h |
275 | src/s/aix3-2.h, bsd386.h, hpux8.h, hpux9.h, irix4-0.h, irix5-0.h, | |
276 | isc2-2.h, netbsd.h, osf1.h, sol2-3.h, sunos4-0.h, umips.h, usg5-4-2.h | |
277 | - all these (not obviously trivial) files are missing copyrights. | |
278 | rms: "I should talk about these with Matthew Norwood." |