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moonlight-stream / moonlight-common-c

Core implementation of Nvidia's GameStream protocol
GNU General Public License v3.0
448 stars 166 forks source link

Unclear license #30

Open irtimmer opened 7 years ago

irtimmer commented 7 years ago

To my surprise I discovered that unlike the moonlight-common repository their is no license included in the moonlight-common-c repository. While the usage in moonlight-chrome and moonlight-ios and the inclusion of ported code from moonlight-common at least indicates its available under a GPLv3 (compatible) license it would probably be better if the license is clearly stated. Just in case someone wants to use it in a new port ;)

cgutman commented 7 years ago

Good point. Fixed in https://github.com/moonlight-stream/moonlight-common-c/commit/417c8be124c7e235b5e46c59e073aa2a6b41dea9

Benjamin-Dobell commented 7 years ago

@cgutman Any chance we could get this under a more permissive license? Ideally one that's iOS compatible.

MIT or Apache would be my preference, but I think LGPL may work, it's a bit unclear.

Of course, won't argue if not, your work, you rights, your license. Just thought it'd be worth asking.

cgutman commented 7 years ago

I don't mind relicensing my contributions, but we'd need to decide on a license and probably get @irtimmer, @d3m3vilurr, and @mrb113 's consent for their portions.

d3m3vilurr commented 7 years ago

I hate iOS AppStore :(

Most cases I like Apache and MIT. but in this case, if we choice lower infectable license, we can have a chance about reduce return contribution. If @cgutman and @irtimmer want all moonlight projects to remain GPL and want to receive their modification and fixing, we can't relicense to these licenses.

Anyway, I'm ok to relicense LGPLv2.1 or later or MPLv2, but not Apache, MIT.

Benjamin-Dobell commented 7 years ago

GPLv3 not compatible in iOS AppStore. (so Apple can remove moonlight-ios in AppStore)

If there are just the four of you and you agree the binaries (build artefacts) themselves aren't GPL licensed, then it's not a problem - as copyright holders you can do whatever you want. It's only an issue when you start getting lots of contributors as theoretically any contributor could complain you're violating the GPL on their contributions by publishing to the iOS app store - I'm really not sure why anyone would do that though.

Being GPL is more of a problem for third-parties - say for example I wanted to make my own app that incorporates this library as just a component of a larger app, and put it on the app store, I wouldn't be allowed to (even if my app was open source). You guys still could though (again assuming all contributors agree), as you're the original rights holders.

d3m3vilurr commented 7 years ago

No. Definitely not. GPL have guarantee how to provide the binary, source to the user and how to apply a license to derivatives works. And this rule allows binaries reversing. A problem is these rules can conflict to AppStore copyright. So they can remove apps from their store whatever complaints from license holders. GPLv3 have more aggressive rules between GPLv2, and probably AppStore also can ban GPLv2 too.

Your problem is another issue. GNU want to derivative works should apply GPL. And want to reduce LGPL Because, If not, developers can hide fixing, modification and improvement whatever OSS project or not. I basically agree on this, just not all. So I commented MPLv2 or LGPLv2.1. But this relicenses make lost some GPL's benefit.

Benjamin-Dobell commented 7 years ago

No. Definitely not. GPL have guarantee how to provide the binary, source to the user and how to apply a license to derivatives works. And this rule allows binaries reversing. A problem is these rules can conflict to AppStore copyright. So they can remove apps from their store whatever complaints from license holders. GPLv3 have more aggressive rules between GPLv2, and probably AppStore also can ban GPLv2 too.

Wait... what?

You're the rights holder. You can license the software however you please. As I said, just don't license the binaries as GPL. It's just the same as the other projects dual licensing, they can do that because they're the copyright holder. Just as you can as rights holder offer proprietary licenses and GPL, like many businesses do. You can do whatever you want, it's simply your users (i.e. me) that can't; because we've accepted your copyright licensed work under the terms of the GPL - which means our work and therefore our binaries need to be licensed under GPL. So Apple can reject them.

Your problem is another issue. GNU want to derivative works should apply GPL. And want to reduce LGPL Because, If not, developers can hide fixing, modification and improvement whatever OSS project or not.

Yes, that's true. GPL is a copyleft license. That on it's own isn't an issue. As you've stated it, just means third-parties must also license their works under GPL. That's reasonable, it's your project, you can decide what you want.

The point is that your users can't submit binaries to the App Store because any binaries we produce are GPL'd - your's are not necessarily, they're whatever you want them to be; again you need consent of all contributors.

If you want to continue to distribute with a copyleft license (i.e GPL) then that's your call, I'm just making a request. I think LGPL is okay on the app store, admittedly I'm not certain; everything else I've written I'm 100% certain about.

EDIT: See https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/6109/is-it-possible-to-have-gpl-software-in-the-mac-app-store, accepted answer reiterates what I've said.

d3m3vilurr commented 7 years ago

You can license the software however you please. As I said, just don't license the binaries as GPL. It's just the same as the other projects dual licensing, they can do that because they're the copyright holder.

it's little complicated. we should decide source code level license for the next contribution. or need signing about dual license agreements from contributors like Linux kernel.

If you want to continue to distribute ...

I understand, and I already agreed to change LGPLv2.1 or MPLv2 ;) Just I said, Apple make f**ked to GNU community and I can't understand this company.

See https ...

In my country, copyright law requiring a complaint from the license holder. But basically, this is a legal issue and I'm not a lawyer. in this case, only lawyer can say okay. And Apple still can choice to remove GPL app whatever complaint. GPL conflict mean also conflict Apple side either. Just they didn't do that.

PS. @Benjamin-Dobell and looks no more need conversation about Apple problem. isn't it? ;)

PS2. @cgutman please, just choice next license then receive agree/disagree. that's easier.