Re: [ft] [ft-devel] FreeType License and patents

[Eric Rannaud]

On Fri, Jan 13, 2012 at 11:16 AM, Dave Crossland <address@hidden> wrote:
> On 13 January 2012 20:13, Werner LEMBERG <address@hidden> wrote:
>> I would like to add something similar, with the exception that code
>> especially marked as patented within the FreeType source code is not
>> covered.
>>
>> Comments?
>
> Why not just switch to Apache?

Apache2 is not compatible with GPLv2 notably because of this
particular patent clause (that's the general agreement anyway -- some
see GPLv2 as already having an equivalent clause, albeit less
explicit). Apache2 is compatible with GPLv3, however.

So you want to be careful adding that kind of exception, you may
create a number of new license compatibility questions.

If you want such a patent grant clause, you might as well have
Freetype released under Apache2 and continue to make it available
under GPLv2. At least license compatibility is then clear.

However, by switching to Apache2, or by adding such a clause, you will
likely make Freetype harder to use for some projects that may have
liked the current license better. (e.g. OpenBSD: they don't like
Apache2, and maybe would reject Freetype license + patent grant.)