> > > I don't understand this point. As far as I know, DOE has allowed
> > > W. Shelter to distribute Maxima (not Macsyma) under the GPL.
> > > I don't know of any geographic restrictions which apply to GPL
> > programs,
> > > except when these are explicitly stated. But maybe I did not look
> > > well enough?
> >
> > Yes, I agree completely with you, however some advices seemed to
> > differ, a few months ago, cf. the threads "Maxima 5.9.0 Release
> > candidate 3" (30/31 october 2002) and COPYING1 (5 nov 2002). This is
> > why I am asking the present status of Maxima, to know exactly if the
> > file COPYING1 is still considered as valid or not, as it has not been
>
> > removed.
>
> It is still valid, and will be most likely for the forseeable future.
> It was a condition of the original release of the software and we of
> the project have no power to change it. We would have to explicitly
> contact DOE and request that they lift the restriction, which they
> probably can't do without permission from someone else, etc.
I fear that the geographical restriction in the license is not compatible
with the GNU GPL. Here is what the GPL says:
8. If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
certain countries either by patents or by copyrighted interfaces,
the original copyright holder who places the Program under this
License may add an explicit geographical distribution limitation
excluding those countries, so that distribution is permitted only
in or among countries not thus excluded. In such case, this
License incorporates the limitation as if written in the body of
this License.
It seems that geographical restrictions are only permitted if
the use of the program might be restricted in the *other* countries
(Iraq, Noth-Korea, etc.) *because of* patents or copyrighted *interfaces*.
So, I am afraid, you will have to clarify this situation:
at it stands now, you have no legal basis for distributing
Maxima under its current license.
> > "Distribution of this derivative work is subject to the US Export
> > Administration Regulations (Title 15 CFR 768-799), which implements
> > the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amendeded, and/or the
> > International Traffic in Arms Regulations, of 12-6-84, (Title 22 CFR
> > 121-130), which implements the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC 2728)
> > and may require license for export."
>
> What this actually MEANS is something none of us are really clear on,
> as far as I know. Has anyone ever read the relevant sections of the
> regulations? The bizarre thing is we couldn't stop it from getting
> there anyway if someone wanted to get it in so I have no idea what the
> purpose of this restriction is, but they didn't ask us. The internet
> makes that impossible to stop. But unfortunately that's not a reason
> for us to ignore the restriction - we will have to include it until
> someone at DOE tells us officially we don't have to.
They apparently think that Maxima is a new kind of atomic bomb.