Licensing:SoftwareTypes

Software Types
There are some specific software types worth mentioning from a licensing/legal perspective.

Shareware
Shareware applications are not Open Source code, and are not acceptable for Fedora.

However, it is worth noting that some non-executable content exists that is required to make Open Source applications functional. An example of this would be open sourced game engines, such as Doom, Heretic, and Descent. These game engines come with freely distributable shareware gamedata files.

In this case, the gamedata files can be packaged and included in Fedora, as long as the files meet the requirements for | binary firmware.

Patented Software
If a package contains code covered by known patents, then you should seek a written patent grant (and include that grant inside the package) before submitting it for Fedora. This is especially important for GPL/LGPL licensed packages, because of the following clause (from GPLv2):

For example, if a patent license would not permit royalty-free redistribution of the Program by all those who receive copies directly or indirectly through you, then the only way you could satisfy both it and this License would be to refrain entirely from distribution of the Program.

It isn't safe to assume that the patent holder permits royalty-free redistribution, you need to get it in writing.

Emulators
Most emulators (applications which emulate another platform) are not permitted for inclusion in Fedora. The rule of thumb to follow is: If it requires ROMs (or image files in any format) of copyrighted or patented material to be useful (and the owners of those copyrights and patents have not given their express written permission), then it's not permitted.

Binary Firmware
Some applications, drivers, and hardware require binary-only firmware to function. Fedora permits inclusion of these files as long as they meet the following requirements:

Requirements:


 * The files are non-executable (note: this means that the files cannot run on their own, not that they are just chmod -x)
 * The files are not libraries.
 * The files are standalone, not embedded in executable or library code.
 * The files must be necessary for the functionality of open source code being included in Fedora.
 * The files are available under an acceptable firmware license, which is included with the files in the packaging.

The Fedora Project considers a firmware license acceptable if:
 * it allows some form of royalty-free use, subject to restrictions that the Fedora Project has determined are acceptable for firmware licenses (see below), and
 * it does not restrict redistribution in ways that would make a software license unacceptable under Fedora licensing guidelines, except by:
 * requiring that the firmware be redistributed only as incorporated in the redistributor's product (or as a maintenance update for existing end users of the redistributor's product), possibly limited further to those products of the redistributor that support or contain the hardware associated with the licensed firmware; and
 * requiring the redistributor to pass on or impose conditions on users that are no more restrictive than those authorized by this Fedora firmware licensing policy.

A non-exhaustive list of restrictions on use that Fedora considers acceptable for firmware licenses are:
 * 1) any restrictions that are found in software licenses that are acceptable for Fedora;
 * 2) prohibitions on modification;
 * 3) prohibitions on reverse engineering, disassembly or decompilation;
 * 4) restricting use to use in conjunction with the hardware associated with the firmware license.

If you are unsure whether or not your files meet these requirements, ask on fedora-devel-list, and we will examine them for you.

The License tag for any firmware that disallows modification must be set to: "Redistributable, no modification permitted"

Firmware packages must be named -firmware, where is the driver or other hardware component that the firmware is for.