On Wed, 20 Nov 2002 ddutt@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> Folks,
>
> I'm writing to request a change to the licensing of plugin modules in order to
> permit the release of plugins for proprietary protocols. I'm proposing that we
> change the licensing of the plugin API as per:
> http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCLinkingOverControlledInterface
>
> This change will allow plugins for proprietary protocols to be released without
> being affected by GPL. The problem with GPL - according to conservative
> interpretations - is that it nullifies any patent on the proprietary protocol
> if the decoder is based on GPL. So, companies that are interested in releasing
> decoders for proprietary protocols, will not do so to avoid the legal
> ramifications of GPL licensing.
>
> Ethereal is a very popular decoder that can only benefit from being able to
> decode proprietary protocols giving it another powerful and distinct advantage
> over commercial decoders.
>
> I welcome your comments as well as other alternatives I may not have
> considered. Thanks,
I for one would welcome this as a way for Ethereal to maintain and expand
it position as the premier packet analysis tool in the the world today.
It removes any obstacles to vendors of propietary protocols from releasing
plugins for Ethereal.
Regards
-----
Richard Sharpe, rsharpe[at]ns.aus.com, rsharpe[at]samba.org,
sharpe[at]ethereal.com, http://www.richardsharpe.com