Re: getndelim2 license

[Jim Meyering]

Bruno Haible <address@hidden> wrote:
>> > I too would like to see getndelim2 under LGPL. I just don't think that we
>> > can do it without RMS' blessing.
>>
>> So little of the code in the original 70-line getstr function[*] remains,
>> that while Jan did indeed write that code, that seems to be irrelevant,
>> now.
>
> I don't agree with this argument: The current getndelim2 code structure is
> still quite similar to the getstr from 1995. And even if it wasn't, if the
> code had been refactored so often that no similarities were not visible any
> more, I don't know after how many refactorings the original author's copyright
> would cease to apply. My guess is never.

If the changes were only "refactorings", you would have a solid case.
Obviously, no number of mere code-factorization operations can make an
original author's copyright irrelevant.

In this case, calling them API, design and implementation changes is
more accurate.  With so many of those that nearly all of the original
code has been changed or removed, the net result is more like a rewrite.

>> If you still think this license change merits further review,
>> you're welcome to pursue it.
>
> Did that, and got the approval for RMS for the original version and of all
> contributors since then, except yourself. I assume you approve the change
> as well, since you committed it :-)

Yes, of course.
I'm glad it worked out.