[svlug] Fedora or Ubuntu for novis

[Alan DuBoff]

On Sat, 20 Sep 2008, Rick Moen wrote:

> Well, in retrospect, it seems likely that they called the file "LICENSE"
> because they knew that's where people would look.

I only pasted what I felt was the pertenent piece, but here's 
the entire contents of the file, were there is no ambiguity in 
how you, I, or another person on this list interpet it. I would 
like to point out that there is nothing in each of the source 
files, in regard to any licensing. The only regard inside the 
tarball is this file, which the NSA states to check the 
respective sources for.

--Start of LICENSE--
This library (libselinux) is public domain software, i.e. not 
copyrighted.

Warranty Exclusion
------------------

You agree that this software is a non-commercially developed 
program that may contain "bugs" (as that term is used in the 
industry) and that it may not function as intended. The software 
is licensed "as is". NSA makes no, and hereby expressly 
disclaims all, warranties, express, implied, statutory, or 
otherwise with respect to the software, including 
noninfringement and the implied warranties of merchantability 
and fitness for a particular purpose.

Limitation of Liability
-----------------------

In no event will NSA be liable for any damages, including loss 
of data, lost profits, cost of cover, or other special, 
incidental, consequential, direct or indirect damages arising 
from the software or the use thereof, however caused and on any 
theory of liability. This limitation will apply even if NSA has 
been advised of the possibility of such damage. You acknowledge 
that this is a reasonable allocation of risk.
--end of LICENSE--

On Sat, 20 Sep 2008, Rick Moen wrote:
> Well, in retrospect, it seems likely that they called the file 
> "LICENSE" because they knew that's where people would look.

If I understand you correctly, the NSA only put this information 
in a file called LICENSE as they knew that's where people would 
look. Ok, fair enough. I wonder what they felt people would be 
looking for other than a license? Would they look for credit 
card information? Social Security numbers?

Honestly, I don't know or try to pretend to know what the NSA 
was thinking when they issued this code, nor would a court of 
law in that regard, IMO.

How is this code not in the public domain with no copyrights, as 
I had originally stated? AFAICT, the NSA licensed this code in 
the public domain with no copyrights. I'm not sure how one could 
interpet that any differently.

--

Alan DuBoff - Software Orchestration