[vUDS Blueprint 13.10] MongoDB into Ubuntu main

[Scott Kitterman]

On Tuesday, April 30, 2013 10:08:21 PM Dave Walker wrote:
> On 30 April 2013 21:54, Scott Kitterman <ubuntu at kitterman.com> wrote:
> > On Tuesday, April 30, 2013 08:13:42 PM James Page wrote:
> >> Hi Clint
> >> 
> >> On 30/04/13 18:38, Clint Byrum wrote:
> >> > So, one could argue that the current Ubuntu packages, which do link
> >> > mongodb to OpenSSL, are violating the AGPL license. There is of course
> >> > the special exception for system libraries, but that requires that one
> >> > prove OpenSSL is "a major essential component of the specific operating
> >> > system on which the executable work runs". Not a huge stretch, but one
> >> > that Debian has been reluctant to make.
> >> 
> >> I raised this directly with 10gen last cycle; they granted Ubuntu a
> >> license exception so that we could enable SSL support with OpenSSL.
> >> 
> >> I want to see if we can get this generically expanded to support
> >> *everyone*.> 
> > You'll have to.  If the license is Ubuntu specific, it has to go in
> > multiverse. See DFSG #8.
> > 
> > Scott K
> 
> Hi,
> 
> You raise a valid concern, but I feel it is unfounded.
> 
> Clint made reference to the exception for system libraries.  The
> agreement that James makes reference to is an additional assurance
> that we wanted to obtain.  However, for Ubuntu package licence
> distribution it is not relevant and is specifically not a an
> additional licence.
> 
> Thanks for your concern.

Use of the system library exception for openssl is not permitted in Debian and 
with a few document exceptions Ubuntu follows Debian policy for determining if 
software is licensed appropriately for Main/Universe.  Where is this difference 
from Debian policy for Ubuntu documented?

I don't find it in what I would expect to be the relevant location of the 
Ubuntu Policy Manual:

http://people.canonical.com/~cjwatson/ubuntu-policy/policy.html/ch-archive.html#s-ulp

Scott K