www/distros free-system-distribution-guidelines...

[Richard M. Stallman]

CVSROOT:        /webcvs/www
Module name:    www
Changes by:     Richard M. Stallman <rms>       11/05/16 17:07:23

Modified files:
        distros        : free-system-distribution-guidelines.html 

Log message:
        Clarify that nonfunctional data is ok _despite_ not being free,
        that this doesn't make it free.  Also, delete "aesthetic"
        since that is too narrow.
        
        Move the name confusion paragraph to a separate section.

CVSWeb URLs:
http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewcvs/www/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html?cvsroot=www&r1=1.22&r2=1.23

Patches:
Index: free-system-distribution-guidelines.html
===================================================================
RCS file: /webcvs/www/www/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html,v
retrieving revision 1.22
retrieving revision 1.23
diff -u -b -r1.22 -r1.23
--- free-system-distribution-guidelines.html    13 May 2011 15:32:12 -0000      
1.22
+++ free-system-distribution-guidelines.html    16 May 2011 17:06:46 -0000      
1.23
@@ -107,14 +107,17 @@
 
 <h3 id="non-functional-data">Non-functional Data</h3>
 
-<p>Data that has an aesthetic purpose, rather than a functional one,
-may be included in a free system distribution as long as its license
-gives you permission to copy and redistribute, both for commercial and
-non-commercial purposes.  For example, there are some game engines
-that have been released under the GNU GPL, and have accompanying game
-information&mdash;a world map, game graphics, and so on&mdash;released
-under such a verbatim distribution license.  This kind of data can be
-part of a free system distribution.</p>
+<p>Data that isn't functional, that doesn't do a practical job, is
+more of an adornment to the system's software than a part of it.
+Thus, we don't insist on the free license criteria for non-functional
+data.  It can be included in a free system distribution as long as its
+license gives you permission to copy and redistribute, both for
+commercial and non-commercial purposes.  For example, some game
+engines released under the GNU GPL have accompanying game
+information&mdash;a fictional world map, game graphics, and so
+on&mdash;released under such a verbatim-distribution license.  This
+kind of data can be part of a free system distribution, even though
+its license does not qualify as free, because it is non-functional.</p>
 
 <h3 id="trademarks">Trademarks</h3>
 
@@ -177,6 +180,9 @@
 other hand, we also don't object if a distributor chooses to omit some
 software in order to avoid patent risk.</p>
 
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
 <h3 id="mistakes">Commitment to Correct Mistakes</h3>
 
 <p>Most distribution development teams don't have the resources to
@@ -194,6 +200,14 @@
 of nonfree software that we find out about.  It should also
 inform us when the problems we have reported are fixed.</p>
 
+<h3 id="Name Confusion">Name Confusion</h3>
+
+<p>We will not list a distribution whose name makes confusion with
+nonfree distributions likely.  For example, if Foobar Light is a free
+distribution and Foobar is a nonfree distribution, we will not list
+Foobar Light.  This is because we expect that the distinction between
+the two would be lost in the process of communicating the message.</p>
+
 <h3 id="upstream">Contacting Upstream If You're Downstream</h3>
 
 <p>For distro developers (or anyone else) who have sent an important bug
@@ -212,13 +226,6 @@
 href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>&gt; with a description of
 their system and a link to their web page.</p>
 
-<p>However, we will not list a distribution whose name makes confusion
-with nonfree distributions likely.  For example, if Foobar Light is a free
-distribution and Foobar is a nonfree distribution, we will not list
-Foobar Light.  This is because we expect that the distinction between
-the two would be lost in the process of communicating the
-message.</p>
-
 <p>If you have questions or comments about these guidelines
 themselves, feel free to send those to &lt;<a class="reference"
 href="mailto:address@hidden";>address@hidden</a>&gt;.  We hope
@@ -251,7 +258,7 @@
 
 <p>Updated:
 <!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2011/05/13 15:32:12 $
+$Date: 2011/05/16 17:06:46 $
 <!-- timestamp end -->
 </p>
 </div>