I looked up and called the Free Software Foundation in Boston, seeking answers to some questions. I was given the email address licensing@xxxxxxx, to which I wrote and received a reply. For anyone interested, I am sharing the correspondence below.
Jamal
-- Original Message --
From: Jamal Mazrui
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 4:52 PM
To: 'licensing@xxxxxxx'
Subject: Question about Eclipse Public License
From both the gnu.org and eclipse.org web sites, I have learned that the
FSF considers the Eclipse Public License (EPL) to be incompatible with the
GPL (both versions 2 and 3, I think). I am trying to better understand
what the ramifications of this would be for a software application that
incorporates libraries licensed under the EPL. My questions relate to
what support, if any, FSF/GNU would consider providing such an
application, based on existing principles, policies, and practices. Some
specific questions follow.
Assuming that such an application is otherwise of sufficient quality, would it be eligible for a page on gnu.org?
Could it be included in a GNU directory of free applications?Could ongoing discussion among developers of the application occur on a GNU email list?
Could FSF or GNU help to publicize the application in press releases, blog posts, etc.?
Would FSF/GNU consider making hardware or financial donations to the project (again, assuming all other criteria are met)?
Please understand that I am not seeking to debate appropriate answers to these questions. I am just seeking direct answers to them, and despite my best efforts so far, have been unable to find authoritative information.
Regards,
Jamal
-- Reply Message --
From: Karl Berry via RT [licensing@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 5:45 PM
To: Jamal Mazrui
Subject: Re: [gnu.org #625088] Question about Eclipse Public License
Hi Jamal,
Eclipse Public License (EPL) to be incompatible with
the GPL (both versions 2 and 3, I think
Yes.
Assuming that such an application is otherwise of sufficient quality,
would it be eligible for a page on gnu.org?
Pages on gnu.org are typically about official GNU packages, such as
gnu.org/software/emacs. We could not accept an EPL-licensed program as a
GNU package. So I would say the general answer here is no. There are
occasional exceptions.
Could it be included in a GNU directory of free applications?
If you mean directory.fsf.org, the answer is yes. The Free Software
Directory aims to list all available free software, not just
GPL-compatible software.
Could ongoing discussion among developers of the application occur on a
GNU email list?If you mean would we host a list specifically devoted to this program on lists.gnu.org, I would say no.
Could FSF or GNU help to publicize the application in press releases,
blog posts, etc.?
It depends at least somewhat on what the application is. If it's
sufficiently important to the free software movement, the FSF might decide
to mention it. That wouldn't be up to me.
Would FSF/GNU consider making hardware or financial donations to the
project (again, assuming all other criteria are met)?
I strongly doubt it. The FSF almost never does this for any individual
package or project, GPL-compatible or not. However, this decision would
not be up to me either.
Best regards, karl@xxxxxxx __________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
