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off topic - netscape public license




hi,

i've just read the 'netscape public license', and there is at least one
part there that really bugs me. wanted to see what others here think about
it.

quoted from the ammendment part of the license:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. Use of Modifications and Covered Code by Initial Developer. 

         V.1. In General. 
         The obligations of Section 3 apply to Netscape, except to the
         extent specified in this Amendment, Section V.2 and V.3. 

         V.2. Other Products. 
         Netscape may include Covered Code in products other than the
         Netscape's Branded Code which are released by Netscape during the
         two (2) years following the release date of the Original Code,
         without such additional products becoming subject to the terms of
         this License, and may license such additional products on
         different terms from those contained in this License. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

as i see this, this part means that if one contributes code to netscape,
then netscape may incorporate this code in other products that it sells,
and from thereof is not required to send out the modifications it makes to
such code, to the public.

and then it continues:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

         V.3. Alternative Licensing. 
         Netscape may license the Source Code of Netscape's Branded Code,
         including Modifications incorporated therein, without such
         additional products becoming subject to the terms of this
         License, and may license such additional products on different
         terms from those contained in this License. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

more or less the same thing here...

now i wonder what are the actual implications of this part of the
license:

1. netscape itself may override the terms of its public license?
2. netscape may take code i (or anyone) wrote, and use it in its
   own products (such as the netscape navigator, professional edition),
   and make further work on top of this code?


now, i'd be less worried hadn't i remember the noise netscape managed to
make when it changed its licensing terms between version 0.96 and version
1.0 of their navigator, after they first promised that private usage of
the final product will be free, but later on claimed that it is free only
to people who "don't make money" - i.e. people who don't work anywhere,
or to universities only, which kind of took out the whole idea of 'free'
from their original license...

what do you think?

guy