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Re: GFDL/GPL issues
Basile Starynkevitch wrote:
> Does the FSF want anything about GCC? AFAIK, the plugin exception to the
> runtime license was not wanted by the FSF. It was only wanted by the GCC
> community (and probably the FSF was reluctant to any changes).
I don't speak for the FSF. I don't know what the FSF wants, other than
what it's said in public.
> So what should I do concretely? What is the current status of the pdf
> file generated inside GCC MELT, an old version of which is on
> http://gcc.gnu.org/wiki/MELT%
> 20tutorial?action=AttachFile&do=view&target=GCC-MELT--gcc-internals-snapshot.pdf
> Is it completely illegal?
I don't know. I don't know enough about Melt to give an answer, even an
informal one. (And I'm not a lawyer, so I certainly couldn't give you
good legal advice.)
> Does that mean that even if a MELT plugin package appears in Debian, it
> could not contain any documentation?
I thought Debian didn't like the GFDL at all. But, in any case, that's
really a question for the Debian folks; I don't have any involvement in
Debian.
As for practical advice regarding getting quicker decisions from the FSF
on licensing issues, I have none. I've worked on several such issues
with the FSF over the years, and they've all been lengthy processes. If
I knew how to do it faster, I certainly would. The best way to work
with the FSF on license issues is always to explain how whatever request
you are making furthers the FSF's goals.
--
Mark Mitchell
CodeSourcery
mark@codesourcery.com
(650) 331-3385 x713