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Date:      Wed, 27 Dec 2017 00:16:43 +0100
From:      Sid <sid@bsdmail.com>
To:        sid@bsdmail.com
Cc:        freebsd-ports@freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: License and adopting software
Message-ID:  <trinity-ccfcc285-df56-483d-a2ef-013415edff62-1514330203839@3c-app-mailcom-lxa05>
In-Reply-To: <CALM2mEmYsPs3ta7pMHq=KHpw==0ukvdtXad5bJcL08tKegmYTg@mail.gmail.com>
References:  <CALM2mE=OW=7EUn4ZQUA0CCpYHjOn8WrKe3_FPevYBq3onoJRDw@mail.gmail.com> <CALM2mEn%2BTxwKYpOQekdPzJ4xeuJZts1gOKT3tV%2B57PFbFjdu-Q@mail.gmail.com> <trinity-6b4e8d0d-bf5d-4f62-ac8a-a58e207cdfeb-1514301518528@3c-app-mailcom-lxa16> <CALM2mEmYsPs3ta7pMHq=KHpw==0ukvdtXad5bJcL08tKegmYTg@mail.gmail.com>

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> 'someone else said something to the effect of=C2=A0 "If I looked at the c=
ode already, the license is already contaminated"'
That makes no sense to me=2E That advice seems counterproductive=2E In the=
 source code, I'm sure you saw this, but there are different licenses in th=
e files=2E
=C2=A0
Usually, when someone adds on top of FreeBSD's license, that part belongs =
(or is at least dual/multi-licensed) in FreeBSD=2E
=C2=A0
The only separator I understand is, the files, to have their distinctive l=
icenses, to differentiate it from the rest of the packaged source code, but=
 first distinguish it as your creation, copyright and license=2E I don't kn=
ow if a line within a file can have a different license, unless that line w=
as already established as MIT, or the creator releasing that line to GPL=2E
=C2=A0
The odd part is, if a code goes into GPL, they get to license it=2E But if=
 those lines are already MIT, that code is multi-licensed under both MIT an=
d GPL=2E If code goes into a GPL code first, and the author didn't claim it=
 as their own first, it's odd, (that code will be for GPL, but) I don't kno=
w if you can use that code for outside of GPL, even if you wrote it=2E I do=
n't know about that, but it's safer to claim that code as your own, your pr=
oject's or your pseudonym, before writing it into a GPL code to fix it=2E I=
 wish there was someone who can clarify that=2E

I guess you're trying to find out or audit if everything within a code is =
GPL? That may be hard=2E I would start a new file, with your own license, i=
nformally copyright your creation with simple copyright text and license (n=
ot through the office: use the copyright office for your best or proprietar=
y work), then maybe merge it afterwards=2E There is better advice on protec=
ting your contribution's license, and how they interact=2E Some of that can=
 be found by looking around, but it would be nice if someone who is really =
familiar with that would tell what they can=2E



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