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--- geda:license [2012/02/20 15:14]
+++ geda:license [2012/02/20 15:14] (current)
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+====== gEDA Licensing ======
+All software components of gEDA/gaf are released under the
+[[ http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html | GNU General Public
+License (GPL) version 2 or later]].   However, some confusion exists about
+the schematic symbols.  What license do they use? Will GPL symbols
+"infect" your design, thereby requiring you to release your design to
+the public? If you modify the symbols,  must you release the modified
+versions under the GPL?
+The goal of the gEDA Project is to provide an open-source EDA Suite
+which may be used for non-commercial as well as commercial projects.
+Our tools are aimed for use by students, hobbyists, educators, consultants,
+ and -- yes -- corporate engineers.  We are not interested
+in exerting any control over your designs, or forcing you to reveal
+proprietary information contained in your designs.
+Symbols are similar to the font files used in document
+processing software -- they are graphical objects used to express your
+ideas.  We want you to retain control of your own ideas (your design),
+while the gEDA Project retains a say in how you redistribute the
+symbols themselves.
+There are three ways a symbol might be distributed:
+  - As part of a symbol library, or individually as a .sym file (i.e. as a symbol itself).
+  - Embedded in a .sch file (i.e. part of the soft, or editable copy of a design).
+  - The resulting graphical expression on a schematic diagram (i.e. as part of the hard, or non-editable copy of a design).
+There is a distinction between cases 1 and (2, 3).  In case 1, the
+object of interest is the symbol library (or individual symbol)
+itself.  In case (2, 3), the object of interest is the design.
+Some label case 1 "distribution", and case (2, 3) "use" of the symbol.
+Our goals for the symbols are:
+  * We wish to distribute the symbols under a licencing scheme which encourages that you give back to the community if you redistribute the the symbols themselves -- whether modified or unmodified.  This is case 1 distribution.  The GPL ensures this.
+  * We wish to specifically prohibit anybody from building gEDA's symbols into their *software* products, and then place restrictions on how the resulting product may be used.  If you bundle gEDA symbols-- whether modified or unmodified -- into your software and then distribute it, then you must allow for the software's (and symbols') continued redistribution under the GPL.  Again, this is case 1 distribution; the GPL ensures this.
+  * However, we do not wish to "infect" your *electronic* design, or force you to release your proprietary design information if you use or embed gEDA symbols in your design.  This is case (2, 3) use.
+The Free Software Foundation has recognized a possible conflict of
+the base GPL with the use of fonts -- and, by analogy, symbols used in
+case (2, 3).  Their solution is to use an exemption clause in the GPL
+which you explicitly insert for fonts.  Read about it here:
+[[http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html#FontException | http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html#FontException]]
+Therefore, using this as a template, all symbols released with
+gEDA/gaf are covered under the GPL with the following exception clause:
+  As a special exception, if you create a design which uses this symbol,
+  and embed this symbol or unaltered portions of this symbol into the
+  design, this symbol does not by itself cause the resulting design to
+  be covered by the GNU General Public License. This exception does not
+  however invalidate any other reasons why the design itself might be
+  covered by the GNU General Public License. If you modify this
+  symbol, you may extend this exception to your version of the
+  symbol, but you are not obligated to do so. If you do not
+  wish to do so, delete this exception statement from your version.
+The idea is that case 1 redistribution is covered under the GPL, but
+distribution of your design (case (2, 3) is exempt from the GPL.
+This is the scheme which the gEDA Project wishes to use for symbol
+distribution and use.

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