Debian Takes AGPL Software into Main
The FTP team at the Debian project have decided that the Affero GPL version 3 licensing (AGPLv3) is consistent enough with the guidelines of the Linux distro that software with the licensing can go into Debian's main archive.
FTP master Joerg Jaspert reported in the Debian news mailing list that a working group met in Spain the end of November and decided to include AGPLv3 licensed software in Debian's main archive.
The GNU Affero Public License tries to get around an issue that the usual GPL doesn't address: many in the Internet age use free server and web service software that doesn't reside on their computers. Google and Yahoo are among the largest users of free software. Under previous GPL terms they could adapt this software for their own use and commercialize it, and users would have rights to the source code only when running the software residing on their systems. The AGPL has an additional paragraph, "Remote Network Interaction; Use with the GNU General Public License," that gives users rights to remote source code as well.
This licensing has been an ongoing discussion at Debian, including in wishlist bug reports. The Debian project has been following its own social contract, primarily addressed in the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). Debian releases only software in its Linux distro that falls under these guidelines. Conflicts arose, for example, around Mozilla's trademarks on for Firefox and Thunderbird.
With the usual licensing in place, Debian feared that embedded AGPL software could be too much of a cost and trouble for users. The FTP team therefore came to the conclusion that this usage cost was not "a severe enough problem to restrict the freeness of a work licensed under AGPL," citing that running network services are already enough of a cost. They argued that source code distribution costs over the Internet are fairly low to begin with. Also, sources can come from free software repositories such as Alioth, Savannah and SourceForge instead of from one's own servers.
The FTP team's decision opens the way for AGPLv3 software to enter Debian's main archive, unless the Debian project comes up with another plan or contradictory Grand Resolution.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.