Hi all,
Let me try to summarize ScummVM's license viewpoint.
ScummVM is licensed under the (unmodified) GPL, and has to stay that way,
simply because it is infeasible to contact all right holders and their
estates/heirs for a license change.
Many people have agreed to release their code under the specific text of the
GPL, and we can't just change that text retroactively, even if we personally
feel it is only a clarification and not a change with any legal effect.
We're more than willing to clarify our personal viewpoints on any issues you
raise in our FAQ, and in fact have a first draft about one such issue on our
development mailing list already.
However, ultimately of course the choice to distribute ScummVM is up to any
individual who wants to do so. If you or they feel uncomfortable with our
license, then so be it. If you feel you need clarification on legal issues, I
suggest contacting a lawyer, or possibly the Software Freedom Law Center may be
able to assist. Several commercial game releases include ScummVM however, and
their publishers have likely done their legal due diligence.
If you wish to twist our reasoning, that is also your choice, but I do not much
appreciate being called intellectually dishonest and morally reprehensible.
We would still potentially be interested in AGS support in ScummVM, but would prefer
discussions about this to be civil and constructive. The current directionless
bickering here seems to be neither.
Sincerely,
Willem Jan, ScummVM core developer
Let me try to summarize ScummVM's license viewpoint.
ScummVM is licensed under the (unmodified) GPL, and has to stay that way,
simply because it is infeasible to contact all right holders and their
estates/heirs for a license change.
Many people have agreed to release their code under the specific text of the
GPL, and we can't just change that text retroactively, even if we personally
feel it is only a clarification and not a change with any legal effect.
We're more than willing to clarify our personal viewpoints on any issues you
raise in our FAQ, and in fact have a first draft about one such issue on our
development mailing list already.
However, ultimately of course the choice to distribute ScummVM is up to any
individual who wants to do so. If you or they feel uncomfortable with our
license, then so be it. If you feel you need clarification on legal issues, I
suggest contacting a lawyer, or possibly the Software Freedom Law Center may be
able to assist. Several commercial game releases include ScummVM however, and
their publishers have likely done their legal due diligence.
If you wish to twist our reasoning, that is also your choice, but I do not much
appreciate being called intellectually dishonest and morally reprehensible.
We would still potentially be interested in AGS support in ScummVM, but would prefer
discussions about this to be civil and constructive. The current directionless
bickering here seems to be neither.
Sincerely,
Willem Jan, ScummVM core developer