Discussion draft of new GNU Free Documentation License released

Alfred M. Szmidt ams at gnu.org
Tue Sep 26 18:22:20 UTC 2006


The following just poped up at http://www.fsf.org, I haven't had a
chance to read the draft yet though.

Discussion draft of new GNU Free Documentation License released

   BOSTON, September 26, 2006--The Free Software Foundation (FSF)
   today released the first discussion draft for version 2 of the GNU
   Free Documentation License (GFDL). In addition to being the
   official documentation license of the GNU Project, the GFDL is used
   by many other free documentation projects, including Wikipedia.

   Accompanying this revision release of the GFDL is a new companion
   license, called the GNU Simpler Free Documentation License (GSFDL).

   This release marks the beginning of a public discussion and review
   process, with the goal being the production of the best free
   documentation licenses possible. The FSF has invited everyone to
   read the new drafts and contribute comments at
   http://gplv3.fsf.org/doclic-dd1-guide.html.

   The new license texts have wording intended to improve
   internationalization, to allow for easier excerpting and
   distribution, and to be more clear about their application to media
   formats other than text.

   Documentation licenses exist because free manuals are essential for
   free software. But the GFDL and GSFDL are not limited to software
   documentation. While the FSF recommends these licenses "principally
   for works whose purpose is instruction or reference," they state
   clearly in Section 0 of each license that each can be used for "any
   work of authorship meant for human appreciation, rather than
   machine execution."

   The GFDL 1.1 was released in 2000. It was revised and released in
   2002 as version 1.2.

   Media contact:
   Brett Smith
   Compliance Engineer
   Free Software Foundation
   617-542-5942
   brett at fsf.org

About the FSF

   The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to
   promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and
   redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development
   and use of free (as in freedom) software--particularly the GNU
   operating system and its GNU/Linux variants--and free documentation
   for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the
   ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of
   software. Their Web site, located at www.fsf.org, is an important
   source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support their
   work can be made at http://donate.fsf.org. Their headquarters are
   in Boston, MA, USA

   Created by johns

   Last modified 2006-09-26 02:08 PM



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