[JDEV] theoretic-smtp, Ransom License, Jabber and GPL incompatibility

Tue Jun 25 09:56:04 CDT 2002

Oh blah. Quit your license whining. It's not like Adam (or I for that 
matter, the author of that code) have any money to sue you if you 
decided to write your own jabber<->smtp transport in perl. Its just a 
little side project that gets little use. And the license was an 
experiment to see if it would take off (note: it hasn't and adam still 
has my 5 bucks :). So lay off.

James Michael DuPont wrote:
> --- David Waite <mass at akuma.org> wrote:
> 
>>James Michael DuPont wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Also there is some software with a crazy license on it,
>>>a "ransom" license? I thought jabber is free software? I dont want
>>
>>any
>>
>>>ransom software on my machine, why is in CVS if it cannot be used?
>>> 
>>>
>>
>>Huh? Elaborate please.
> 
> I am talking about Adam Theos Ransom License on the theoretic-smtp
> jabber gateway.
> 
> I find it amusing and annoying on the positive side,  Even creative.
> 
> On the negative side I feel violated having seen this source code, now
> how can I implement the same under a GPL without getting into a nasty
> conflict? Why should I get source code out of CVS that I have to
> delete?
> I just did a "co ." to get all the branches.
> 
> QUOTE "3 Once the evaluation period ends, you agree to either
> purchase a registered copy of the software at usd$5.00, or immediately
> stop any further use, copying and modification of the software and any
> modifications and to destroy all such copies or modifications."
> 
> I mean come on! What type of BS is that? Sure Adam is only 21 years
> old,   but it is a bit silly.
> 
> I have written my questions to theo at theoretic.com before, and have
> gotten no statement from him. The point is, that it is ok, I would say
> to put it on his own web server, but what is it doing on the jabber
> server? 
> Do you have to delete the source code from your server after 30 day?
> 
> There is not anything really special about this source code, and
> http://www.jabberstudio.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/theoretic-smtp/jabber.pl?rev=1.6&content-type=text/vnd.viewcvs-markup
> is missing any license statement.
> 
> Also , how can I contribute to jabber if we are not all playing on the
> same level playing ground? 
> 
> Also, adam has been pushing to get jabber into DotGNU, 
> project and I have not wanted to make a big deal about it, but
> jabber is now an officially endorsed project.
> 
> But it is strange that I cannot even use his contribution as part of a
> GNU software,
> the license is totally unacceptable for a free software project and
> represents an inpurity that has to be removed.
> 
> Dont take me as being negative,
> I think that he should be able to license his ideas and software as
> he likes, but not mixing it up with free software. I dont want anything
> to do wiht this ransom license for my software that is under GPL.
> 
> If you feel that this is good, then collect the money,
> pay him off, and remove the license. Otherwise you will just scare
> people off.
> 
> Best Regards,
> James Michael DuPont
> 
> TWO SNIPPETS FOLLOW :
> [1] theoretic-smtp/README
> [2] theoretic-smtp/LICENSE
> 
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> [1]http://www.jabberstudio.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/theoretic-smtp/README?rev=1.4&content-type=text/vnd.viewcvs-markup
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> ### LICENSE
> You may download, use, and redistribute the source code at no
> cost. However, you may not modify and redistribute, or incorporate
> this source code into other projects. That is because the source code
> is not yet Open Source or Free Software. It is published under a
> "Ransom License", which means the rights to the source code remain
> restricted until a set amount of money is collected or a set date
> passes, at which point the code is freed. You can read the particular
> Ransom License used, "Theoretic's Simple Ransom License v0.9", in the
> LICENSE file found packaged with the SMTP-T program or from its
> website [http://www.theoretic.com/?JabberSMTP]. And you can help Open
> Source JabberSMTP by contributing to its Ransom amount
> [http://www.theoretic.com/?JabberSMTP/Ransom]. To find out more
> information about the Ransom Model, visit the Ransom website
> [http://www.theoretic.com/?Ransom].
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> 
> 
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> [2]http://www.jabberstudio.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/theoretic-smtp/LICENSE?rev=1.2&content-type=text/vnd.viewcvs-markup
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> ######### THEORETIC'S SIMPLE RANSOM LICENSE ##########
> Version 1.1
> 
> Copyright 2001 Adam Theo
> 
> This Simple Ransom License covers all copyrighted material that say
> they are covered under the terms and conditions of the "Simple Ransom
> License".
> 
> Use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
> permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
> 	1 You may use, copy, or modify the software at no cost for an
> evaluation period of up to 31 days, beginning when you first install
> the software on one or more computers, in order to determine whether
> the product meets your needs before purchasing it.
> 	2 You may use, copy or modify the source code or binary form
> for your internal use only. No redistribution is allowed. This applies
> for both evaluation and registered copies.
> 	3 Once the evaluation period ends, you agree to either
> purchase a registered copy of the software at usd$5.00, or immediately
> stop any further use, copying and modification of the software and any
> modifications and to destroy all such copies or modifications.
> 	You should make payments through PayPal
> (http://www.paypal.com), sending to 'theo at theoretic.com', although
> I may accept other payment methods if you talk to me about it.
> 	4 By registering the copy to you, the copyright holder is
> obligated to count your payment towards the Ransom Amount of
> usd$100.00. When the full Ransom Amount has been collected, the source
> code will be automatically re-licensed under the JOSL, included
> below.
> 	Details and other information on this Ransom model can be
> found at http://www.theoretic.com/ransom, or from the
> ransom at theoretic.com mailing list.
> 
> 
> THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
> "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
> LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
> A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR
> CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
> EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
> PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
> PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
> LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
> NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
> SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
> -------------------------SNIP-------------------------
> 
> =====
> James Michael DuPont
> http://introspector.sourceforge.net/
> 
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-- 
Nick

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