[Fedora-legal-list] Question on config files

[Tom Callaway]

On 09/22/2011 09:52 AM, Christopher Svanefalk wrote:
> I am sorry if this question perhaps has an obvious answer, but I just
> wanted to make sure: do config files (such as /etc/selinux/config and
> /etc/yum.repos.d/fedora.repo) fall under the  restrictions of the
> licenses governing the programs they relate to, or can they be copied,
> distributed and modified freely?
> 
> Thanks in advance!

There is no magical answer that will cover every possible config file.
However, this set of rules is probably good guidance:

* Was this configuration file generated by the Fedora package maintainer?

If yes, then it is safe to assume it is MIT, unless otherwise marked.
If no, then it is safe to assume it is provided by the upstream and
under the same licensing terms as the program it relates to.

(Please note that I am assuming the config file is a copyrightable work,
which in many cases, it probably isn't, but that would only mean that it
is possible that such files would be more permissive than the licensing
above, never less.)

~tom

==
Fedora Project