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diff --git a/doc/site/src/license.page b/doc/site/src/license.page new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8e18782 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/site/src/license.page @@ -0,0 +1,73 @@ +--- +title: Licensing +inMenu: true +directoryName: Licensing +--- + +h1. Mongrel Licensing + +Mongrel is licensed under the "LGPL":http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html and is copyright Zed A. Shaw +as of 2005. If you use Mongrel and are worried about the +licensing status, then you should talk with your legal team +and follow their advice. If you use Mongrel and +are concerned about how that impacts your software, then contact +me about a commercial license or how you can donate to a charity to get a commercial license. + +I don't use "LGPL":http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html to force people to also "LGPL":http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html license their software, +but rather to make sure that people who modify *Mongrel* give back to +the community. The general rule is that if you treat the +Mongrel RubyGem directory like it's a got an evil firewall +around it then you're good. You can link to it, run your +applications under it, and even write GemPlugins to change +Mongrel without touching the source. + +If you dip into the Mongrel RubyGem directory and change +even one line of source, or copy a portion of the source +into your project, then you have to do the following: + +* E-mail me what you changed and find out if I would include it in Mongrel. Usually I will. +* If I can't or won't include it, then consider taking it out and writing a GemPlugin. +* If you have to have this change in Mongrel and I can't take the patch (since it's specific to your application), + *and* you can't make a GemPlugin, then you'll have to either: +** License your software under the "LGPL":http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html and release it. +** Include the changed files in your release and allow the customer to access them, giving proper attribution. +** Contact me for a commercial license. +** Contact me about donating to a charity in exchange for a commercial license. + +I'm not interested in hunting people down who use Mongrel in +commercial products nor am I a GPL zealot. I understand that +folks just want to run their software under Mongrel and might +need to make a few changes. As long as you share those changes +when you make them then I'll be happy and you'll be safe. + + +h2. Non-profit Organizations + +If you're a registered non-profit organization that is using +Mongrel then you don't have to worry about any of the above. +You are free to use Mongrel however you want and I'll even +be willing to help you out in exchange for tax credit or +just to be a good guy. + +I'd appreciate your changes or stories about how you're using +it, but otherwise feel free to use Mongrel however you want. + + +h2. GemPlugins + +The GemPlugins system is both freely available *and* +licensed under the Ruby License. Feel free to use it just +like you would Ruby and work it into your projects as you +need. This is done so people can write their own GemPlugins +for Mongrel without having to re-license them under the +"LGPL":http://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl.html. + + +h2. Some Charities To Consider + +Any charity that helps children is a good one. My personal +favorite is "The Train Platform Schools":http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/project_profiles/train_schools.htm +in India. They help children who are extremely poor get food, +medical attention, and education by holding small school sessions +on the train platforms in Bhubaneswar, India. + |