Proposals and Policy (Was: Re: Aggregation of software)

[Jim Jagielski <ji...@jaguNET.com>]

There has been quite a few Emails and Proposals related to how the ASF
handles and "interprets" software aggregation and software patents, as
well as suggestions related to changes related to that handling and
interpretation.

As mentioned previously [1], the ASF has in the past, and will continue
to, made distinctions on what is (or may be) legally allowed and what our
policy is. Furthermore, in many cases, what is "legally allowed" is itself
subject to discussion, debate and disagreement, as we have seen many times
in these threads.

We are aware of the benefits of reviewing and possibly reviving
policy-based decisions, as new information may warrant; and we always
encourage our members to discuss the way we operate, preferably on our own
mailing lists. However, the ASF's Board of Directors, as well as the VP
Legal Affairs, want to make it clear that unless and until changes are
made at the foundational level, such suggestions are simply that:
suggestions made by a single member of the ASF, nothing more. Posting of
those proposals more widely than the ASF lists may give the impression
that such proposals are strategic to the ASF, or that there is serious
debate at the foundation level regarding these issues. That is not the
case. If we had received replies that our stance was incorrect, or risky,
then, of course, we would be more apt to seriously consider such
substantial changes as described in some of these proposals. However, the
replies have shown the opposite, and there is general consensus supporting
us at the present time.

1. http://projects.opensource.org/pipermail/license-discuss/2015-May/001836.html
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