2005-04-23 18:16:18 +00:00
|
|
|
Sat Apr 23 2005
|
1999-08-09 18:06:01 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This files attempts to clarify the licensing situation for the SANE
|
|
|
|
distribution. In case of doubt, the copyright information contained
|
|
|
|
in each file overrides what is said here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SANE consists of three parts each of which has its own licensing
|
|
|
|
terms:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* The frontend programs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
These programs are generally protected by the GNU General Public
|
|
|
|
License. (See file COPYING.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* The backend libraries.
|
|
|
|
|
2003-07-26 12:07:23 +00:00
|
|
|
Most backend libraries are protected by the GNU General Public License
|
|
|
|
(see file COPYING), but as an exception, it is permissible to link against
|
1999-08-09 18:06:01 +00:00
|
|
|
such a library without affecting the licensing status of the program
|
|
|
|
that uses the libraries. For details, see the copyright notice at the
|
|
|
|
head of the backend files (e.g., backend/dll.c).
|
|
|
|
|
2003-07-26 12:07:23 +00:00
|
|
|
Note that not all of the backends apply the exception and that some have
|
|
|
|
additional licensing constraints. E.g., the DC210 backend uses JPG code
|
|
|
|
that is licensed as described in README.djpeg.
|
1999-08-09 18:06:01 +00:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* The SANE API and network protocol as put forth in the standard document.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The standard is considered to be in the public domain. Anyone is free
|
|
|
|
to implement SANE interface conforming applications or libraries in
|
|
|
|
any way he or she sees fit.
|
2005-04-23 18:16:18 +00:00
|
|
|
|
2020-03-05 12:14:34 +00:00
|
|
|
The standard is maintained at https://gitlab.com/sane-project/standard
|
|
|
|
and published at https://sane-project.gitlab.io/standard/.
|
|
|
|
|
2005-04-23 18:16:18 +00:00
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions about the SANE licensing:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Why don't you use the GNU LPGL ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The reason SANE isn't licensed under the GNU LGPL is very simple: the
|
|
|
|
GNU LGPL didn't exist at the time SANE was first released. So, the SANE
|
|
|
|
Exception was added to the GNU GPL.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Why don't you relicense SANE, now that the GNU LGPL is available ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To relicense the various pieces of code composing SANE, each and every
|
|
|
|
copyright holder needs to agree with the relicensing. Unfortunately, some
|
|
|
|
of the (original) backend authors cannot be contacted any longer, for
|
|
|
|
various reasons; not to mention each and every contributor who sent in a
|
|
|
|
patch. This effectively makes it impossible for the SANE Project to
|
|
|
|
relicense SANE.
|