[haiku-development] Re: BSD code?

Oliver Ruiz Dorantes wrote:
> Hi
> 
> I have researched a bit in the message archive and in the FAQ, but so far 
> i could not get an offical position if we can reuse BSD code in Haiku.
> 
> Seems it depends on where are we using it, the answer would be sone 
> kernel addons, tools and 3rd paty libs.
> 
> I have contacted the major cointributor of the FreeBSD bluetooth stack, 
> as I directily dont want to fear or be worried if i am getting **too much 
> inspired** by some parts of his code. Although that BSD code cannot be 
> usedin Haiku but needs a rewrite, the logic and structure does not need 
> to be redesigned.
> 
> I feel he prefers keeping the BSD license. So in case I cannot convince 
> him.
> 
> BTW the code is in FreeBSD 2-clause. Which is always different than MIT 
> right?
> 
> What do you think about the subject?

It is very simple: The guy wrote open source software, and chose a specific 
(very non-restrictive) license. So if you follow that specific license, you 
can re-use his code, and that's what he intended. You can even have two or 
more licenses for the same source file (applying to different parts). So 
for code that you add, you add your own copyright. The only problem is if 
the license would be "viral" like the GPL, since that would extend onto 
other software. But since the 2-clause BSD license is so similar to the MIT 
license, you should have no problem to follow it. Just copy his copyright 
into your source files, and if necessary into the AboutSystem application 
and you should be fine.

Best regards,
-Stephan

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