new list policy regarding projects

[steve ravet]

1)  The projects on the list are basically software -- design files,
documentation, etc.  It's all IP, just like software is.  GPL may not
apply to tangible hardware, but it applies to hardware designs just as
well as it does software.  The preamble mentions software, replace that
with design if you wish.  The license itself refers to Program; it's
defined to include a "program or other work" which covers hardware
designs.

2)  Any of these licenses are basically gentlemen's agreements.  The
moment you put a design on the internet you've lost control of it,
regardless of what license you release it under.  It's not right but
it's fact.  If you can't live with that then keep your design to
yourself.  If you can then chose a license that minimizes negatives and
maximizes positives.  GPL promotes widespread distribution and
improvement.  It's an excellent way to spread your design and have other
really smart people help you improve it.  

--steve


> Received: from blw2kslap [12.230.112.209] by mail.blama.com with ESMTP
>   (SMTPD32-6.06) id AF996A8D011E; Thu, 31 Jan 2002 11:48:41 -0800
> Message-ID: <02d301c1aa8f$fd4afd80$6b01a8c0 at blw2kslap>
> From: "Bernard Littau" <bernard at blama.com>
> To: <diy_efi at diy-efi.org>, <gmecm at diy-efi.org>
> References: <3C5789DD.A68ECD5A at arm.com>
> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 11:46:34 -0800
> 
> The GNU GPL License is expressly a software license.  There are many
> statements in the text of the license (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html)
> that do not apply well to the projects on this list.
> 
> How did list management intend the GNU GPL License to be applied to hardware
> projects?
> 
> Best,
> 
> Bernard Littau
> Woodinville, WA
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "steve ravet" <sravet at arm.com>
> To: "diy_efi" <diy_efi at diy-efi.org>; <gmecm at diy-efi.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 9:51 PM
> Subject: new list policy regarding projects
> 
> > Management has adopted a new policy concerning projects, and has
> > formalized the policy regarding "commercial activities".  In the future,
> > projects should adopt a GNU GPL license.  Projects that do can be
> > discussed on list without limit (other than staying on topic, of
> > course), and their designs can be stored on the diy-efi server.
> > Projects that don't adopt a GNU license are considered to be commercial
> > projects subject to the list rules regarding commercial activity.  Both
> > new policies are spelled out on the diy-efi page
> > (www.diy-efi.org/diy_efi).  This text is currently only on the diy_efi
> > page but applies to gmecm also, and will appear there soon.
> >
> > --steve
> >
> > --
> > Steve Ravet
> > steve.ravet at arm.com
> > ARM,Inc.
> > www.arm.com
> >
> > ----- End of forwarded message from owner-diy_efi at diy-efi.org -----
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> >
> 
> ----- End of forwarded message from owner-diy_efi at diy-efi.org -----

-- 
Steve Ravet
steve.ravet at arm.com
ARM,Inc.
www.arm.com

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