while looking on the source code of CMSimple 4.0.4 I got really surprised, that the author has removed the copyright notices of CMSimple_XH 1.5.3.
The author states clearly on the project page that CMSimple 4 based on CMSimple_XH 1.5.3:
See screenshot [2]cmsimple.org wrote:The basis for the new CMSimple
In 2009, a small group of committed developers and CMSimple enthusiasts has decided to develop further the stagnant CMSimple, under the project name CMSimple_XH.
At this development I was heavily involved.
In May 2012 I left CMSimple_XH, to develop my own projekt CMSimpleSubsites, on the basis of CMSimple_XH 1.5.3.
Shortly before the release of CMSimpleSubsites1.0, I had the chance to purchase the project CMSimple with all rights and domains.
And so, in November 2012, CMSimpleSubsites RC2 was published as CMSimple 4.0.
The source code of CMSimple 4.0.4 (downloaded today) contains now only the following copyright informations:
Code: Select all
/*
==================================================
This file is a part of CMSimple 4.0.4
Released: 12/2012
Project website: www.cmsimple.org
--------------------------------------------------
CMSimple 4.0 and higher uses code and modules of CMSimple_XH,
a community driven CMSimple based Project
Project website: www.cmsimple-xh.com
==================================================
CMSimple COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
© Gert Ebersbach - mail@ge-webdesign.de
CMSimple 3.3 and higher is released under the GPL3 licence.
You may not remove copyright information from the files.
Any modifications will fall under the copyleft conditions of GPL3.
GPL 3 Deutsch: http://www.gnu.de/documents/gpl.de.html
GPL 3 English: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html
END CMSimple COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
==================================================
*/
Only "code and modules" of CMSimple_XH ? is mentioned (and the given url to CMSimple_XH is redirected to the project page of CMSimple 4x).
To be honest, since I have contributed source code to CMSimple_XH too, I'm a bit upset about that .
But, beside this, removing copyright informations from the source code is a clear violation against the terms and conditions of the GPL3, which says "keep intact all notices" (See chapter 4 and 5 a & b of the GPL3 for example).
But today it's not clear for a user that CMSimple_XH is a so called "fork", based on CMSimple 3.3 and CMSimple 4 is a "fork" of CMSimple_XH 1.5.3, while reading the informations in the core files of CMSimple 4x. This is complete contrary to the terms and conditions of the GPL3.
To comply the terms and conditions of the license, the author has to
- restore the license section of CMSimple_XH 1.5.3 to all core files ( see below [1] )
- add a name
- add the date of the modifications
when he want's to keep on providing his fork for download without violating the required license.
Beside this, the author has to mention at prominent place on his project page that there was a wrong license information in all downloads before date xx.xx.xxxx to stop further discussions on that topic.
KR
Holger
[1]The original copyright-section of CMSimple_XH 1.5.3 - not included in CMSimple 4x:
Code: Select all
/*
======================================
CMSimple_XH 1.5.3
2012-03-19
based on CMSimple version 3.3 - December 31. 2009
For changelog, downloads and information please see http://www.cmsimple-xh.com
======================================
-- COPYRIGHT INFORMATION START --
CMSimple version 3.3 - December 31. 2009
Small - simple - smart
© 1999-2009 Peter Andreas Harteg - peter@harteg.dk
-- COPYRIGHT INFORMATION END --