From: Bill_Mann AT praxisint DOT com (Bill Mann/US/Praxis) Subject: The gnu-win32 AT cygnus DOT com mailing list 15 Feb 1997 09:45:23 -0800 Approved: cygnus DOT gnu-win32 AT cygnus DOT com Distribution: cygnus Message-ID: <9702151940.AA5622.cygnus.gnu-win32@smtp-notes-gw.praxisint.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: Text/Plain Original-To: noer Original-Cc: gnu-win32 , rms <"(Richard_Stallman)_rms".gnu DOT DOT ai DOT DOT mit DOT DOT edu AT notes DOT praxisint DOT com (Richard_Stallman)> Original-Sender: owner-gnu-win32 AT cygnus DOT com Based on the recent Cygnus press release, I object to the name of this mailing list, 'gnu-win32'. The principle subject of this list is the proprietary cywin32.dll library, and ports of free software based on it. This can not be (or at least, is no longer) part of the gnu project, since it is based on a central library which is not distributed under the LGPL, but rather under a tightly restricted, for-profit license. This is inconsistent with the expressed goals of the GNU project, since cygwin32.dll provides essential services, at about the same level as libc.a. The fact that Cygnus is releasing the cygwin32 sources under the GPL does not alter the situation. Now that cywin32 is an independent commercial product, it should no longer use the name 'gnu'. When GNU is released by the FSF under Windows32, I doubt that it will be based on a commercial product. In my opinion, people interested in the GNU project will probably not find this list of any further interest, unless: . they are evaluating commercial UNIX to Windows32 porting technology . they want to make use of the Cygnus free software ports . they are coding strictly for internal use . they simply curious . they are potential cheaters Shareware and commercial software venders can't use cygwin32.dll without licensing from Cygnus. People writing new code, either under the GPL license or as freeware, must be careful not to incorporate any of cygwin32 code into anything which they may someday want to release under the LGPL, since Cygnus would have the right to refuse to allow that. If Cygnus asks you to assign them rights to any changes you submit, read the 'fine print' carefully to be sure you're satisfied; assigning rights to Cygnus is not the same as assigning them to the Free Software Foundation. - For help on using this list, send a message to "gnu-win32-request AT cygnus DOT com" with one line of text: "help".