From 647d2e27a4c4d416473349e0cc3a8589ece9dc4a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Bradley M. Kuhn" Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:46:34 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Rewrite contractor's provision. --- gpl-lgpl.tex | 37 ++++++++++++++++--------------------- 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+), 21 deletions(-) diff --git a/gpl-lgpl.tex b/gpl-lgpl.tex index 283327f..77765fa 100644 --- a/gpl-lgpl.tex +++ b/gpl-lgpl.tex @@ -2548,28 +2548,23 @@ permitted without limitation and activities that trigger additional requirements. Specifically, GPLv3~\S2\P2 guarantees the basic freedoms of privately modifying and running the program. -% FIXME: transition, and some word smith +Also, GPLv3~\S2\P2 gives an explicit permission for a client to provide a +copy of its modified software to a contractor exclusively for that contractor +to modify it further, or run it, on behalf of the client. However, the +client can \texit{only} exercise this control over its own copyrighted +changes to the GPL-covered program. The parts of the program it obtained +from other contributors must be provided to the contractor with the usual GPL +freedoms. Thus, GPLv3 permits users to convey covered works to contractors +operating exclusively on the users' behalf, under the users' direction and +control, and to require the contractors to keep the users' copyrighted +changes confidential, but \texit{only if} the contractor is limited to acting +on the users' behalf (just as the users' employees would have to act). -GPLv3 now gives an explicit permission for a client to provide a copy of -its modified software to a contractor exclusively for that contractor to -modify it further, or run it, on behalf of the client. However, the -client can only exercise this control over its own copyrighted changes -to the GPL-covered program. The parts of the program it obtained from -other contributors must be provided to the contractor with the usual GPL -freedoms. - -This permission is stated in section 2. It permits a user to convey -covered works to contractors operating exclusively on the user's behalf, -under the user's direction and control, and to require the contractors -to keep the user's copyrighted changes confidential, but only if the -contractor is limited to acting on the user's behalf, just as the user's -employees would have to act. - -The strict conditions in this provision are needed so that it cannot be -twisted to fit other activities, such as making a program available to -users or customers. By making the limits on this provision very narrow, -we ensure that in all other cases the contractor gets the full freedoms -of the GPL. +The strict conditions in this ``contractors provision'' are needed so that it +cannot be twisted to fit other activities, such as making a program available +to downstream users or customers. By making the limits on this provision +very narrow, GPLv3 ensures that, in all other cases, contractors gets the +full freedoms of the GPL that they deserve. % FIXME: transition, and some word smith