Re: w3m: 'license'; error: redefinition of 'struct file_handle'

[Mark H Weaver <mhw@netris.org>]

ludo@gnu.org (Ludovic Courtès) writes:

> Andreas Enge <andreas@enge.fr> skribis:
>
>> Additionally, the file matrix.c looks non-free to me:
>> "3.  No charge is made for this software or works derived from it.  
>>       This clause shall not be construed as constraining other software
>>       distributed on the same medium as this software, nor is a
>>       distribution fee considered a charge."
>>
>> So maybe it needs to be patched out, if possible? How come debian contains 
>> the file?
>
> It’s not in http://libreplanet.org/wiki/Software_blacklist so I guess
> it’s a question for the gnu-linux-libre mailing list.  Any volunteer?

I asked RMS, and he thinks that this clause is okay because it says a
"distribution fee" is okay and does not limit the amount.  Thus, what it
prohibits is a fee for the right to use the program, which is okay.

He was actually slightly more concerned about whether it allowed
distribution of modified versions:

  Everyone is granted permission to copy, modify and redistribute

Overall, he said that with its most natural intepretation, it is a free
software license, but that it is not clear.  He asked me to attempt to
contact the library authors for clarification, but in the meantime I
think we can consider this license acceptable.

Apologies for paraphrasing RMS rather than quoting him directly, but I
forgot to ask whether it was okay to publish what he wrote in private
email.

     Mark