[Zlib-devel] zlib and LZMA

[Mark Adler]

On Jul 16, 2006, at 2:08 PM, Glenn Randers-Pehrson wrote:
> I am not a lawyer, but common sense would say that applying a bugfix
> from the zlib developers would not constitute "modifying" the code.

You can use modified code as long as the modifications are made open  
source.  That would be the case for security bug fixes.  As long as  
they were made available in source.

> If a user comes up with his/her own bugfix they would not be allowed
> to ship it,

They could, if they made the source of the fix public.  Only if they  
wanted to keep the bug fix proprietary would they not be allowed to  
use it in their closed-source product, per the license.  So if  
someone finds a security bug, fixes it, and wants to keep that  
proprietary, then it serves them right if the license prohibits it!   
Maybe I should change the zlib license.

> Much better would be to persuade Igor to license it to us under the
> zlib license.

I understand his reasons, and I don't think he'll be persuaded.  Also  
I think the proposed restriction is acceptable.  What do the rest of  
you think?

mark