[SOLVED] License - Magento vs. Prestashop

[Dutohlávek]

Hi, I have read a topic on Magento forum called "License issue. Using Magento to create client sites" and I would like to discuss the same problem here on Prestashop forum.

There are 3 pages describing this problem and one of participants in this discussion is also Lawrence Rosen himself (the author of this license). If you have 5 minutes, please read this: http://www.magentocommerce.com/boards/viewthread/13938/P0/ It's really interesting.

I have also read the definition of OSL 3.0 http://www.opensource.org/licenses/osl-3.0 as well as the explanation of this license http://www.rosenlaw.com/OSL3.0-explained.pdf

It is not a problem to say what is meant under the term 'distribution' and 'derived work'. These terms are given explicitely.

The term "External Deployment" means the use, distribution, or communication
of the Original Work or Derivative Works in any way such that the Original Work or
Derivative Works may be used by anyone other than You, whether those works are
distributed or communicated to those persons or made available as an application
intended for use over a network.

Explanation: Making your application available for use over a network (user buy something on you shop/prestashop) is considered distribution.

to translate, adapt, alter, transform, modify, or arrange the Original Work,
thereby creating derivative works ("Derivative Works") based upon the Original Work

Explanation: If you take prestashop default theme and you modify it then it must be under the OSL license as well..

And there is a problem. The template files SHOULDN'T BE OSL, because there is no way how some individual/company could develop/customize a theme without using default theme! As a man called darkman has writen on magento forum, it would be like trying to guess an MD5 password

I think that all templates which can be found at www.addons.prestashop.com and which are not under the OSL license violate this licence. I'm very sceptical as I don't believe they don't use any lines of code from .*tpl or for example *.js files. It's simply impossible.

I hope, this post isn't a flame. After discussion on magento forum they HAVE CHANGED license for theme folder from OSL 3.0 to AFL 3.0 which is "identical to OSL 3.0 except for the reciprocal source code obligation."


My question: Is there a chance to change the license for templates folder to AFL 3.0?

Now Prestashop 1.4 is comming so maybe it's the perfect time to do it.

[Vojtech Kozak]

I would love to know developer's opinion on this topis. This is something I've been thinking about as well.

[web.geek]

You may want to try posting this as a "Feature Request" in the Bug Tracker. It should get the attention of the developers faster, as they don't always have time to wade through the forums.

[Damien Metzger]

Hi,

The developers have seen this thread
The licence applies if we choose to enforce it, which is not at all the case for the themes. But we will consider your request seriously.

Regards,

[Dutohlávek]

You may want to try posting this as a “Feature Request” in the Bug Tracker. It should get the attention of the developers faster, as they don’t always have time to wade through the forums.

Thank you for your good idea, i've posted it there.

But we will consider your request seriously.

Damien, thanks for your consideration. Really apprechiate it.

[Dutohlávek]

Mama said "Be careful what you wish for..."

Today, patch #5501 posted to SVN
changes all the php, js, and tpl files pathed under /themes and /modules
from OSL3.0 to AFL3.0 license

These are great news. Thanks.