GNU GPL for doc -- Why?

[J. Michael Ashley]

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IIDA,

On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, Werner Koch wrote:
> On Tue, 22 Feb 2000, IIDA Yosiaki wrote:
> 
> >   Since you are the author of GPH, you can change copying
> > condition policy, even after you covered GPH by GNU GPL
> > published by FSF.
> 
> Mike is the author of the GPH and iirc he assigned the copyright to
> the FSF.  After this he cannot change it anymore.  Okay, he can fork
> and continue to work on the version prior to the assignment where
> he of course can change the terms as he like (after notifying the FSF
> and waitoing 30 days). 

Yes, the copyright has been assigned to the FSF.  To clarify, I am the
only one who has this right to fork the manual as Werner described.

The manual is licensed under the GPL, because it was the best choice at
the time.  After dissecting several licenses, including the documentation
license that the FSF is composing, I was not happy with any of them.
Although imperfect, the GPL was the best of the group.

> >   Hmm, as a matter of fact, I was planning to publish paper
> > copy of my translation from a publisher in Japan, since I
> > wanted people to read the Japanese translation.  Do I have
> > to accompany machine-readable source with it?

According to my understanding of the GPL, modifications to the manual 
such as adding new material are covered by the GPL.  Translations
are also covered by the GPL.  So you must distribute your translation
under the GPL.  As Werner said, you could do this by giving a pointer
to an ftp site giving a machine-readable version of the manual.

Personally, I would like to see your translation contributed back
to the GnuPG project so that we can add it to the Spanish and German
translations.  You are of course not required to do this, but I would
appreciate it.

Mike

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