> Hmm. I don't think the GPL as a base fits. It would seem that 
> the LGPL would
> be a better starting base as the LGPL doesn't generally 
> attempt to extend itself to combined works.

It does, with some exceptions, which are not useable in the embedded
context I have in mind. These exceptions make the LGPL more complex than
the GPL, hence the GPL is the better basis. But this is not my idea, I
just 'borrowed' from the eCos license :)

> License writing is difficult. I'm not sure that the above 
> license clearly
> delineates the difference between the EFL code and the code 
> combined to it.

I reworded it somewhat, check http://www.voti.nl/efl/

> What holes would exist if we took the LGPL and struck section 
> 6, which is the
> "recombine" requirement? How would it differ from the 
> proposed EFL above?

You would not be allowed to do that, the (L)GPL are copyrighted. So
you'd have it to do in the shown way: refer to the (L)GPL and explicitly
allow something else too. Referring to the (L)GPL without a certain
section is a bit shakey.

> Just to reiterate, the basic ideas behind this license are:
> 1. Code under the proposed EFL is essentially GPL code.
> 2. Code combined with EFL code via compilation or static linking are
> not subject to the license. Also executables of such combinations are
> not subject to the license.
> 3. The end user does not get the right to recombine updated 
> EFL code with non EFL code.

1. correct
2a correct
2b correct, *but* the use of EFL code in a product forces you to make
the EFL part (uncluding modifications made to it) publicly available
under EFL.
3. correct: this would be troublesome - and IMHO undesireable - in an
embedded context, because it could invalid for instance a flash
read-protect in the chip. I do not object to a per-item charge for the
product, which an update scheme would make troublesome.

Wouter van Ooijen

-- -------------------------------------------
Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products
docent Hogeschool van Utrecht: www.voti.nl/hvu
 

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