[Fedora-packaging] Multiple license scenarios

[Ralf Corsepius]

On 05/25/2010 04:18 PM, Martin Gieseking wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I need some enlightenment about multiple license scenarios of packages.
> Until now, I thought packagers should mention all distinct licenses in a
> spec files's License field that are part of a tarball. Thus, if some
> files are licensed under GPLv2+ and some under BSD, we get "GPLv2+ and
> BSD". That's how I read the guidelines (e.g.
> https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Packaging/LicensingGuidelines#Multiple_Licensing_Scenarios)
>
> However, during a review
> (https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=594943#c16) it was stated
> that sources with compatible licenses like LGPLv2+ and BSD may be merged
> to LGPLv2+.
This is correct.

In such cases, the LGPL acts as an "umbrella". I.e. the "package as a 
whole" is covered by the LGPL, while individual files are still licensed 
by their individual licenses.

 > I can't believe that,
Due to the liberal nature of BSD licenses, such cases are very common.

Most prominent example for such a case is glibc. As a whole "it's 
GPL'ed", but it contains files being covered my much more liberal licenses.

Ralf