Posted by fgm on November 18, 2008 at 11:18am
Jump to:
| Project: | Barcode |
| Version: | 6.x-2.x-dev |
| Component: | Miscellaneous |
| Category: | task |
| Priority: | normal |
| Assigned: | Unassigned |
| Status: | closed (fixed) |
Issue Summary
The newly publishde barcode module ( http://drupal.org/project/barcode ) includes the Arialbd.ttf file, but although it is very popular, this is not a free font. It is under the Monotype copyright and could land its author and d.o. some legal problems.
Comments
#1
Also, I noticed that the original barcode class by Harish Chauhan has been published as "freeware" ( http://www.phpclasses.org/browse/package/2441.html ) , not GPL2. It *think* this should be compatible, but this might need to be checked too.
#2
It appears that somebody pointed this out to the author and he removed the arial ttf from cvs, I've also removed it from the server.
I am not sure how to interpret "freeware".
#3
I think the best avenue would be for the author to obtain an actual message from the original author of that file granting a GPL2 and later license. AFAIK the GPL should be valid under indian law, so it would be even better for him.
#4
I agree, fgm can you contact the contributor and ask him to get this permission from the original author?
#5
"Freeware" is not GPL-compatible. The conventional interpretation of that term as far as I am aware is "proprietary but no charge". That is not GPL compatible.
The module author would need to include a statement from the original author in CVS releasing the module under the GPL, or a GPL-compatible license (eg, BSD). Whether or not we'll allow it in CVS as a 3rd party bit of code in the first place I leave to killes.
#6
Done, I've written the original class author and BCC'ed you, asking him to join us and confirm the license on his class.
#7
Have there been any replies, from the original author?
#8
#9
Is this fixed? Has the issue been addressed in CVS? If so, that should be mentioned here.
#10
Never received an answer (at least that I remember).
#11
I apologize for having marked this report as fixed.
killes reported that he removed the file from the server. I took that meant the task was already completed.
#12
Ah, if the file was removed from CVS then this is fixed. That was not stated in this issue, however. :-)
#13
I think I only removed the ttf file, not the php one.
#14
I got it; the problem was a font file (killes already deleted it), and a PHP file that it still in the repository.
What should we do with the project? The maintainer kept to commit code until one week ago. Should we mark as unpublished the project releases?
#15
Maybe point him to this issue? fgm's original mail was from 2 years ago...
#16
I had a doubt about the font so I just rechecked it, BTW. Although it is available all over the web, the embedded info states:
Typeface (c) The Monotype Corporation plc.
Data (c) The Monotype Corporation plc/Type Solutions Inc. 1990-1992
All Rights Reserved.
I wonder why it is available for free on so many sites, given this information, though.
#17
Let's refile over into that queue.
#18
Just got Crell email.
I committed the font file to CVS on the first day of this project, but quickly realized that the font file was not under GPL2. so I removed it from CVS http://drupal.org/cvs?commit=153605
Two years ago, I also contacted the author of the barcode generator php code, but never heard anything back. I will send the author another email and asking for a statement.
Any other suggestion?
#19
skyredwang: Basically, the options are:
1) If the library is not GPL compatible and the author is not willing to make it GPL compatible, we can't use it and it should be removed from CVS. That means you'll need to find a new barcode library to use.
2) If the library can be made GPL compatible and takes no modification to work with Drupal, it should be removed from CVS and instructions provided on how to install it alongside this module. (I recommend using Libraries API.)
3) If the library can be made GPL compatible and does take modification to work with Drupal, it should be noted as such and then the modified version can be included in CVS as part of this module.
#20
Harish emailed me back, saying "You can put it under GPL license." Also, the php file was modified according to my code comment. So, I guess this is fixed. Nothing needed to be changed. If anyone needs the email confirmation, I can forward the email.
#21
Please make sure that the author's agreement to GPL it is in the source code and/or README file somewhere for future reference so that we don't wonder about this issue again in the future. Thanks!
#22
Automatically closed -- issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.