Xapian discuss - Sep 2012 - GPL as the main reason why Xapian might not get the widespread success it deserves?

Hi,

I realise that the GPL license question has been discussed in 2003 and
in 2007, extensively. Back then, the conclusion seem to have been that
in-process usage is not possible for most use-cases and that instead, a
network layer/IPC mechanism is required to use Xapian with any non-GPL
software.

I think the project is severely undermining its own potential success. I
see that there are even consulting services available, but which
commercially-orientated project is supposed to ever use Xapian?

Has there ever been a motion to finally relicense Xapian to LGPL to make
it easier to adapt in commercial solutions? Or did I just miss something
really obvious?

thanks,
Michael

On Fri, Sep 07, 2012 at 11:18:26PM +0200, Michael Hasselmann
wrote:
> I realise that the GPL license question has been discussed in 2003 and
> in 2007, extensively. Back then, the conclusion seem to have been that
> in-process usage is not possible for most use-cases and that instead, a
> network layer/IPC mechanism is required to use Xapian with any non-GPL
> software.
There was further discussion just a few months ago too.
> I think the project is severely undermining its own potential success. I
> see that there are even consulting services available, but which
> commercially-orientated project is supposed to ever use Xapian?
Many commercial entities use Xapian.  A few are listed on the website at
http://xapian.org/users but there are many more.
> Has there ever been a motion to finally relicense Xapian to LGPL to make
> it easier to adapt in commercial solutions? Or did I just miss something
> really obvious?
We'd love to relicense, and have agreement to do so for a lot of the
code, but there is still a significant amount of code which we don't have
permission to relicense, and for which we aren't likely to ever get
permission.  This is all older code, and it is getting replaced over
time as part of the natural evolution of the code.

See also:

http://trac.xapian.org/wiki/FAQ/CommercialLicence
http://trac.xapian.org/wiki/Licensing

Cheers,
    Olly

On 07/09/2012 22:18, Michael Hasselmann wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I realise that the GPL license question has been discussed in 2003 and
> in 2007, extensively. Back then, the conclusion seem to have been that
> in-process usage is not possible for most use-cases and that instead, a
> network layer/IPC mechanism is required to use Xapian with any non-GPL
> software.
>
> I think the project is severely undermining its own potential success. I
> see that there are even consulting services available, but which
> commercially-orientated project is supposed to ever use Xapian?
Plenty of people are using Xapian commercially (the Newspaper Licensing 
Agency, Gorkana and the Financial Times to name just three of our 
customers at Flax), but I think you're referring to projects that would 
like to embed Xapian in something else and then distribute this.

The 'project' isn't undermining anything.
>
> Has there ever been a motion to finally relicense Xapian to LGPL to make
> it easier to adapt in commercial solutions? Or did I just miss something
> really obvious?
As has been said before, either we have to wait until the natural 
development of the code replaces the bits that can't be relicensed, or 
someone will have to stump up funds to pay for this to be done (not an 
insignificant task). There have been some offers but AFAIK nothing concrete.

Charlie
>
> thanks,
> Michael
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Xapian-discuss mailing list
> Xapian-discuss at lists.xapian.org
> http://lists.xapian.org/mailman/listinfo/xapian-discuss
>

On Saturday 08 September 2012 07:18:26 Michael Hasselmann
wrote:
> I think the project is severely undermining its own potential success. 
I think that "success" would need to be determined first. Xapian might
encourage more free software by remaining GPL, which might be a greater 
success than allowing (potentially) more use but no contributions back, and 
having it "hidden" inside something that makes money for other people
but not
for Olly.

Its a matter of perspective.

Brad