From EGPL Wiki

Contents 1 Intro 1.1 What is EGPL? 1.2 Why did you create EGPL? 1.3 Is EGPL released yet? 1.4 Can I use it as a business model? 1.5 What does 'e' in eGPL stands for? 2 Usage 2.1 How do I apply EGPL to my software project? 2.2 Ok, I'm a programmer, I like your License but I'm not going to edit lists and pages of Exception!? 2.3 How do I know if I can use a project under eGPL? 2.4 Can anybody use eGPL for his project? 2.5 How can a company determine if some exception apply to it? 2.6 What happens if my company suddenly is listed in the exception of a project? 3 Debate 3.1 Is eGPL linked to GNU or FSF or the GPL ? 3.2 Do you advise people to use EGPL? 3.3 Does Stallman know about this? 3.4 Isn't this Boycott or Discrimination? 3.5 What is eGPL compatibility with other licenses? 4 Abuse 4.1 Can you Except people or ethnic groups? 4.2 Don't you think some people will abuse the License?

Intro

What is EGPL?

It is a License, very much like the GPL License, except that it enables the author to restrict usage and modification in a special way. This special way is that everybody is free to use and modify the project, EXCEPT a few designated people. Hence the name.

Why did you create EGPL?

Because some weapons are running linux, because some open source database are used to track migrant and people on the internet. Would the developer of these software agree to help achieve these goals? The idea is to keep the developer in full capability to dispose of his software, AND at the same time release such software in Open Source.

Is EGPL released yet?

Yes, but we're still in Request For Comments / Feedback mode.

Check: http://blog.egpl.info/2009/02/call-for-beta-readers-then-beta-users/

Can I use it as a business model?

Yes. You can perfectly define a list of organization in the Exceptions for your project. Such organizations will then have to get another License, which can be a commercial License. That is in fact another way to do Dual Licensing in a more controllable way. You, as the author, will define who can use your project for free and who has to pay a commercial license.

What does 'e' in eGPL stands for?

It stands for "Exception", because you can define who this license doesn't apply to, and thus prevent them from using your software or project under this license. Some other people suggested it might be interpreted for "Ethical" as it promotes the use of Open Source only for Ethical purposes, or "Ethylic" as some consider only alcohol-soaked people would create such a license ;-)

Usage

How do I apply EGPL to my software project?

Currently, it's still in Draft form so only available to our collaborators. When available, you'll just have to:

1. Download the EGPL License from the Website
2. Include it in your Software package
3. Optionnally, register your Project online so that you can define your Exceptions online. Will be available on http://www.egpl.info.

Ok, I'm a programmer, I like your License but I'm not going to edit lists and pages of Exception!?

Yes, indeed. That why you'll be able to select "Feeds" of Licenses from established Non-Profit Organization or NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) that define entities which are creating problems for their target. For example, Amnesty International could define a list of all the Governments that don't respect basic human rights. You could then Except these governments, or the specific parts such as Ministry of Interior if it regards police brutality, while letting the whole rest of the country use your software.

How do I know if I can use a project under eGPL?

Check if one of its Exceptions applies to you. If it does, you cannot use the project with this License. You have to request another license (commercial, NDA regulated, ...) from the Project's authors and developers.

Can anybody use eGPL for his project?

Yes. Provided yourself did not get excepted from eGPL License usage, since the license is recursive. Only people abusing the license are going to end up in the eGPL Exception List (See Abuse). Right now, the eGPL Exception List is effectively empty, so yes, anybody can use it.

How can a company determine if some exception apply to it?

Interpretation of the Exception List for a particular project should be clear enough. If not, you can contact eGPL staff on the main website to signal an unclear Exception List. eGPL can also direct you to specific attorneys and law firms that will help you determine your risks. At last, you can always contact the Projects' authors and developers in order to get clarification or to ask for another license if eGPL doesn't apply to you (i.e. you're in the exception list).

What happens if my company suddenly is listed in the exception of a project?

Then you don't have a License for the said software / project. You should ask the Project's authors and developers for another license as soon as possible since in the meantime you don't have a license that allows you to do anything with the software. This might imply that you have to buy a commercial license from the Project's authors.

Debate

Is eGPL linked to GNU or FSF or the GPL ?

No, not at all. EGPL was rewritten, paragraph per paragraph, using the GPL v2 as a basis for each content in order to keep compatibility and structure between GPL and EGPL.

Do you advise people to use EGPL?

Ideally, no. We should keep Open Source license completely open. And EGPL is not completely open -by design- because it "excepts" some entity from using the licensed work.

Does Stallman know about this?

As far as I know, he doesn't. But we can expect him to be furious as hell because this License is not in the true spirit of Open Source (where everything is Open and Free and Unrestricted)

Isn't this Boycott or Discrimination?

No. Microsoft does have licenses that say "Education Only", if you're not education, you have to select another license (which comes with other financial conditions). It's the same. If EGPL does not apply for you because your organization or entity is in its Exceptions, you need to contact the authors for another licensing scheme. You can do it through the EGPL website through an automated form.

What is eGPL compatibility with other licenses?

If you have an eGPL project with parts of software governed by other license, here is the compatibility chart with GPL, LGPL, MIT, ...:

• EGPL + BSD = ok
• EGPL + MIT = ok
• EGPL + Artistic = ok
• EGPL + LGPL = ok
• EGPL + GPL = error
• EGPL + GPL v3 = error
• EGPL + Affero GPL = error

Abuse

Can you Except people or ethnic groups?

No. That's very clearly stated in the EGPL License Text. You cannot prevent a specific individual or an ethnic group from using, modifying or redistributing the project or software. Human value is above anything, and this is precisely why this License have been written: to have the possibility to send a clear message to those who don't respect humans and create pain and sorrow.

Don't you think some people will abuse the License?

For sure, some people may do stupid things such as adding an Exception like: "Except all the Schools and Hospitals, everybody can use this software". This is not prevented per-se by the License, and provocation is a tempting act for all the Trolls of the Internet. EGPL is published by a Foundation, and this foundation can legally (it's written in the License) prevent some entity or organisation to use the License itself. This means the License is recursive (applies to itself) and as far as I know it's the first License to be this way :)