[Zlib-devel] zlib and LZMA

[Mark Adler]

On Jul 15, 2006, at 10:53 PM, Peleg, Guy (VMS Engineering) wrote:
> Any idea if ZLIB's license will be impacted?

Excellent question.  The answer is yes, it will be impacted.  Here's  
the deal: Igor will allow commercial, closed-source use of his code,  
but only if unmodified.  He restricts use of his code modified in  
closed source.  You can however modify and use his code (including  
commercial use) if you then make the modifications available open  
source.

This differs from zlib, in that zlib permits any use, including  
closed-source use of modified zlib code.  The only constraint zlib  
has is that if you choose to distribute the modifications open  
source, that you mark them clearly as such.

So I envision that zlib will have different licenses for different  
portions.  What Igor contributes will be under his license, and the  
rest of zlib will remain under its current license.

> (I'll be happy to assist with the coding)

Great, thanks!

mark