Ethereal-dev: [Ethereal-dev] Request: Change the allowed license of plugins

Note: This archive is from the project's previous web site, ethereal.com. This list is no longer active.

Date Index Thread Index Other Months All Mailing Lists
Date Prev Date Next Thread Prev Thread Next
From: ddutt@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 22:38:51 -0800
Folks,

I'm writing to request a change to the licensing of plugin modules in order to
permit the release of plugins for proprietary protocols. I'm proposing that we
change the licensing of the plugin API as per: 
  http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCLinkingOverControlledInterface

This change will allow plugins for proprietary protocols to be released without
being affected by GPL. The problem with GPL - according to conservative
interpretations - is that it nullifies any patent on the proprietary protocol
if the decoder is based on GPL. So, companies that are interested in releasing
decoders for proprietary protocols, will not do so to avoid the legal
ramifications of GPL licensing.

Ethereal is a very popular decoder that can only benefit from being able to
decode proprietary protocols giving it another powerful and distinct advantage
over commercial decoders. 

I welcome your comments as well as other alternatives I may not have
considered. Thanks,

Dinesh
-- 
Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
                                           - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe