sullo@private wrote: > Also what about the logisitics of tracking who has the (c)? I write a plugin, > Michel modifies it to fix spelling errors, Renaud adds a French translation, and > Joe then fixes a bug in a code... do you really want to have three copyright > statements for that output? More or less. The original author holds copyright for the main work, the changes done by others are derivative works [1] that need to have approval from the main author but could hold a different copyright. The main author has "enjoy the exclusive right of authorizing adaptations, arrangements and other alterations of their works." he can ban the copyright holder of the derivative work (translator) from relicensing it or even of making the change if he does not want it to be made. Now, add the GPL. The copyright holder (Renaud in the case of Nessus) has given explicit permission that those changes can be made (in the Nessus source code). For NASL scripts that say they use the "Nessus License" the author has provided permission as per the GPL, but holds copyright. Usually, in free software projects, give away their rights towards the main authors in order to avoid (c) issues however. Notice that any NASL plugin author which has not transfered copyright to Reanud could say: this NASL plugin is no longer GPLd, its closed-source license and you cannot use it. And all Nessus users out there would be copyright violators (unknowingly). The same could happen if Renaud (let's hope that never happens) says the same for the full Nessus source at some point. That's why the FSF "suggest" free software projects to transfer copyright to them, in order to avoid copyright issues. Also, to be able to defend a project in court if needed be. Regards Javi [1] See Berne convention's article 2 and 12: http://www.wipo.int/clea/docs/en/wo/wo001en.htm#P83_10463 and the WIPO treaty http://www.wipo.int/clea/docs/en/wo/wo033en.htm (that claims that Computer programs "are protected as literary works within the meaning of Article 2 of the Berne Convention.") _______________________________________________ Plugins-writers mailing list Plugins-writers@private http://mail.nessus.org/mailman/listinfo/plugins-writers
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