[PD-dev] Porting, copyright and licensing

[Jamie Bullock]

Thanks to everyone who replied to this thread on and off-list. It seems like my question was based on a misunderstanding about the criteria for adding code to the CVS. Since GPL isn't a requirement, I think the best thing is simply for me to leave it under the ACM license and make it clear that the code is based on source by the original authors. 

As people have suggested, I will also look into the possibility of using an FFT to do the Cosine Transform. It would certainly be preferable for me if I could do what I need without using any externals.

Regards,

Jamie 

On Wed, 4 Jan 2006 10:51:19 +0000
Jamie Bullock <jamie at postlude.co.uk> wrote:

> 
> Hi,
> 
> Whilst we are on the subject of licensing and copyright, I have a related question. If a section of code is ported into another programming language, does the ported code qualify as a new piece of software or a modification of existing software? I ask this, because clearly it has implications for who owns the copyright to the ported code.
>  
> For example, I have written an external that uses a Fast Cosine Transform algorithm originally implemented in Fortran, with the code released under the ACM license (http://www.acm.org/pubs/copyright_policy/softwareCRnotice.html). Clearly, if a port into C (as a PD external) is classed as a modification of the existing Fortran code, then I have to license the external under the ACM also. That is, unless the author agrees to relicense the code under the GPL. However, if the PD external is classed as an entirely separate piece of software, just using the same algorithm, could it be relicensed without consent?
> 
> Does anyone know the law/etiquette regarding this?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jamie
> 
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