Installer - GPL is not a EULA

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Thank you for the software and all the work.

At install phase under Windows, the GPL dialog box contains
unfortunte confirmation:

    [ ] I Accept the terms in the License Agreement

    Both "I accept" and "Do not Accept" pose a problem. GPL
    does not need to agreed on or diagreed on in order to
    be able to *install* or run the software. In this
    regard GPL is not EULA[1][2].

It is also violation of GPL to deny installation of GPL'd software.

I would like to propose to change the button to a simpler:

    [Next]

An example of showing button "Next" while showing GPL:

    http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.bazaar-ng.general/18002

That way the user would know that they are not presented
with a contract, because "accepting" the GPL really does
not make much sense for the one who is installing the
software.

You may be interested in knowing that the GPL software
installed under Linux never have had any "I agree to GPL"
confirmation dialogs. The specific use of GPL is not
dependent on the used operating system.

I believe changing the screen, while it may seem a small
change, has a positive effect and puts the GPL in the more
proper context. This would be a good thing for both the
users and for the developers promoting the software.

The change would also encourage to differentiate GPL
software from a typical commercial software that present
legalese and restrictions on install. This would be a
refreshing and encourage user to try more Open Source
software in the future.

Jari

INSTALLER CODE THAT MAY HELP IN THE CHANGE

- Inno Setup (*.iss): AUDACITY project does not show "I Agree"
  http://code.google.com/p/audacity/source/detail?spec=svn11007&r=8970
  http://code.google.com/p/audacity/source/diff?spec=svn11007&r=8970&format=side&path=/sf-cvs/trunk/audacity-src/win/audacity.iss
- Inno Setup: MYSGIT project does not show "I Agree":
  http://repo.or.cz/w/msysgit.git?a=commitdiff;h=f66b8578722
- NSI Installer: VLC Audio/Video software does not show "I Agree", but "Next":
  http://mailman.videolan.org/pipermail/vlc-devel/2008-August/047529.html
- WIX Installer: TORTOISEGIT does not show "I Agree":
  http://repo.or.cz/w/TortoiseGit.git/commitdiff/4c90fc6dda562f61540381661e2cd0ffc50b277a

[1] The GPL

    [For GPL 2] To help substantiate the point that the GPL
    is not an EULA, see
    <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.txt>:

    "Activities other than copying, distribution and
    modification are not covered by this License; they are
    outside its scope. The act of running the Program is
    not restricted, and the output from the Program is
    covered only if its contents constitute a work based on
    the Program (independent of having been made by running
    the Program). Whether that is true depends on what the
    Program does." (GPL-2, section 0, paragraph 2)

    "5. You are not required to accept this License, since
    you have not signed it..." (GPL-2, section 5)

    [For GPL 3] To help substantiate the point that the GPL
    is not an EULA, see GPL-3
    <http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl.html#section9>

    "You are not required to accept this License in order
    to receive or run a copy of the Program. Ancillary
    propagation of a covered work occurring solely as a
    consequence of using peer-to-peer transmission to
    receive a copy likewise does not require acceptance..."
    (GPL-3, section 9. Acceptance Not Required for Having
    Copies).

[2] GPL is not EULA thread

    Canonical, the Maker of Ubuntu; Its project "bzr"
    (distributed version control software) for Windows
    faced similar dilemma and they come to the same
    conclusion: GPL should not be presented as EULA ("to
    accept License"), as there is nothing to accept with
    GPL, as fas as the installation goes. They changed the
    installation to comply with the GPL. (Thread
    <http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.bazaar-ng.general/17907/focus=17908>)

    THE RESULT: "... But I agree, it should merely make you aware of
    the license, and not accept it." Message (Date: 2006-10-11
    08:38:55 GMT)
    http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.bazaar-ng.general/17918/match=accept+terms+agreement
    (See Windows installer dialog box:
    <http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.bazaar-ng.general/18002>)

Original issue reported on code.google.com by jari.aalto.fi@gmail.com on 10 Dec 2011 at 1:05

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Haven't you found something better to do yet? Still no job? Ok, that might not 
be a surprise...

Please find something else to do...

And maybe learn from previous discussions. In case you forgot your last try 
with me, here's the link:
http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/ds/viewMessage.do?dsForumId=757&dsMessageId=271269
5

Original comment by tortoisesvn on 10 Dec 2011 at 1:12

• Changed state: Invalid

[GoogleCodeExporter]

[deleted comment]

[GoogleCodeExporter]

On 2011-12-10 13:13, stexbar@googlecode.com wrote:
| Updates:
|       Status: Invalid
|       http://code.google.com/p/stexbar/issues/detail?id=180
|
| Haven't you found something better to do yet? Still no job? Ok, that
| might not be a surprise...

Please keep this civil.

| Please find something else to do...
|
| And maybe learn from previous discussions. In case you forgot your
| last try with me, here's the link:

I have no knowledge of developers of various programs. If there is a
bug it may be useful for developers to know about it. Some Windows
developers may not familiar with Licensing and role of GPL.

The problem is that, it is incorrect use of GPL to pretend that by
clicking "I agree" under Windows, there is some kind of contract going
on when he "Accepts".

There is not.

If there were, why it is possible to install thousands of Linux
software without asking for such confirmation?

It makes no difference what OS is in question. The GPL itself is
clear (see above; emphasis added): "YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ACCEPT
THIS LICENSE in order to receive or run a copy of the Program"

Please read the bug report. The change is easy: there is no problem in
*showing* the GPL and offering "Next" button

I feel strongly promoting open Source, but I'm not convinced that
treating GPL packaged software, similar to what Commercial vendors do,
does the field a good favor.

| 
http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/ds/viewMessage.do?dsForumId=757&dsMessageId=271269
5

Yes, and my response was:

  http://tortoisesvn.tigris.org/ds/viewMessage.do?dsForumId=757&dsMessageId=2712900&orderBy=createDate&orderType=desc

Jari

Original comment by jari.aalto.fi@gmail.com on 10 Dec 2011 at 6:52

[GoogleCodeExporter]

Having users accepting an EULA, even if it's the GPL is not a bug, so stop 
filing bug reports all over the internet.
If you really cared about open source, you would start working on a project of 
your own or help out in an existing project. But all you do is file bug reports 
about this. That's not helping. And you're not learning. You haven't even read 
the GPL FAQ. Because if you had, you would have found this:
Some software packaging systems have a place which requires you to click 
through or otherwise indicate assent to the terms of the GPL. This is neither 
required nor forbidden.

So again in case you missed this again: it is not forbidden to do that.

And worst of all, you have not read the text you have to agree to in this 
installer. Because you would have noticed that you don't agree to the GPL but 
to my own specific text that mentions the GPL.

And if "the change is easy" as you say, why don't you make the necessary 
changes and send a patch? After all, you "feel strongly promoting open source", 
so why don't you actually do something than just copy/paste your bug reports?

And in case you're wondering: the reason I'm not happy about this report is 
because I've already got one from you for my other projects. And for every 
single one I had to tell you the same thing, and you never learn but keep 
filing your bug reports. 

This issue is closed. I won't discuss this any further.

Original comment by tortoisesvn on 10 Dec 2011 at 7:17

[GoogleCodeExporter]

[deleted comment]

[GoogleCodeExporter]

| http://code.google.com/p/stexbar/issues/detail?id=180
|
| (..) GPL FAQ:
|
| Some software packaging systems have a place which requires you to
| click through or otherwise indicate assent to the terms of the GPL.
| This is neither required nor forbidden.

I think FSF had in mind installers that, by rigid design,
 "requires you to (...)" do certain things. I think they were
aware of Apple installers, where that FAQ entry was written,
where there is no place to modify the screens. I don't know if
Apple installers have improved since.

Windows installers are not like that. It is possible to configure
such screens.

| So again in case you missed this again: it is not forbidden to do that.

From user's perpective, it's not very welcoming to present Open
Source software that way: EULAS and prompts that require you
to "Agree" or be without the software.

If I cannot do anything with the software without
first "Agree'ing", it is against the spirit of Open Source, where
feedom to install and use is a right on itself; as GPL itself
asserts.

Jari

Original comment by jari.aalto.fi@gmail.com on 10 Dec 2011 at 8:03