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Diffstat (limited to 'README')
| -rw-r--r-- | README | 43 |
1 files changed, 15 insertions, 28 deletions
@@ -14,34 +14,21 @@ It is currently under heavy development. **************************** LICENSE ISSUES: -Since the 0.4.2 version the gnutls library is covered under both the -GNU Lesser GPL, and GNU GPL Licenses. Previously released versions were -licensed under the GPL. (see COPYING and COPYING.LIB for the licenses) - -The LGPL license applies to all parts of the gnutls library except for the -"OPENPGP authentication" part, and the "SRP authentication" part, which are -only available under the GPL. Both of these parts can be disabled at compile -time. - -In order to create a library under the LGPL run the configure script with -the following parameters: - --disable-srp-authentication - --disable-openpgp-authentication - -This will disable the above authentication methods. If this is not done -the library will be only available under the GPL. In both cases the generated -libraries are binary compatible. In the LGPL case the missing functions are -replaced with stubs that always fail. - -The rationale behind this license change is that given the fact that other -free libraries with similar functionality exist, keeping the gnutls library -GPL would not give any practical advantage to Free software developers. - -Please note that in many cases it is better for a library to be licensed -under the GPL, so that it provides an advantage for free software projects. -The Lesser GPL is so named because it does less to protect the freedom of -the users of the code that it covers. -See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-not-lgpl.html for more explanation. +Since the 0.4.2 version the gnutls library is covered under the GNU +Lesser GPL. Previously released versions were licensed under the GNU GPL. + +We changed the license for most of GNUTLS because other free libraries +already exist that do the same jobs and have lax licenses. We want +GNUTLS to be usable in all the same places as those other libraries. +We kept some parts of GNUTLS under the GPL because they are unique, +and with the GPL they provide free software projects (which deserve +our help) an advantage over non-free projects (which do not deserve +our help, since they refuse to share with us). For more explanation, +see http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-not-lgpl.html. + +The GNU Lesser GPL license applies to the main gnutls library, while the +gnutls-extra library is under the GPL. + **************************** |