Adding easy stuff from GNU Emacs - what is the least that needs to be done?
Mats Lidell writes:
Suppose, for the discussion, there is a file in GNU Emacs that can
be
added to XEmacs without any modifications. What would be the proper
way to do it? Just change so that it reads "This file is part of
XEmacs" and a "Synched up with: GNU Emacs ###" line?
Yes.
If the package that the file is added to contains other files that
are
GPLv2 or later. Must all files in the package be modified at that time
to GPLv3 or later even though they don't depend on the new file?
GPL "dependencies" are not directional. If the new file depends on
the other files in the package, the whole package must be licensed
under GPLv3.
That's why it's called "viral". Intercourse passes the legal
obligations in both directions, regardless of the direction of
dependency.
Now, you could add a line in the package to the effect that "this file
may also be distributed under GPLv2 as long as no related GPLv3+ file,
specifically from <list of GPLv3 files>, is distributed with it." I
think keeping that up to date would be a massive PITA, especially for
"innocent" synchs of GPLv3 code to one of the "GPLv2 OK" files, which
would require removing that line. I don't think it's worth it, sad to
say.
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