Re: Paperwork / Gnome's dos and don'ts

[jflesch kwain net]

17 mai 2017 21:58 "Sriram Ramkrishna" <sri ramkrishna me> a écrit:

> Howdy!
>
> On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 2:57 AM <jflesch kwain net> wrote:
>
> > b) Commercialization of Windows portage
> >
> > A while ago, I tried to sell the Windows version of Paperwork. It was based on a 60 days trial
> > period + activation keys (the code is still visible on GitHub, but it is disabled). It didn't have
> > much success at the time, but I still haven't forgotten my dream of being rich someday ;). I'm
> > considering re-trying later (I'm thinking of keeping the version N-1 free and making the version N
> > commercial).
> >
> > Would that be a compatible with being hosted on gnome.org ?
> > Would that hurt the chances that Paperwork becomes an extra app of Gnome someday ?
>
> I would reach out to the board on this particular question. My personal opinion is the GPL does
> allow you to make money and you would still be compliant with the license. I would do some
> investigations on a money model around GPL'd software. You might want to talk with Aaron Brockover
> who wrote Banshee music player.
Ok, I will do that.


> The worry I have is further down the road, and for arguments sake: suppose Paperwork becomes a core
> application of GNOME there might be some misunderstanding with the community and accusations of
> bait and switch[1] that we might have to defend at first. So communications around this is very
> critical here. Because once that misunderstanding occurs, it stays persistent for quite some time.
> As someone who usually does the defending, I've usually found it a big headache. So this message is
> partially in my own self interest. :-)
I understand perfectly your worry, and the last thing I want is to make a mess.
I'll ask the board what they think. If they tell me they prefer I don't commercialize a Windows portage, I 
won't.


> Finally, if you're using some of the designs from Allan or other GNOME designers, you would be
> using their work, time and effort to generate income. Now they might not mind, but you probably
> want to talk to them up front in regards to compensation (if any).
I understand. When I did my first try, I did discuss it with Paperwork's main contributors beforehand. While 
the GPL allows it, I consider it basic politeness.
This is also why I'm asking now, before hosting Paperwork on gnome.org.


> You are also leveraging the
> GNOME brand here intentionally or not. So these are things that you must work out with the Board of
> Directors.
Agreed.


> If you do go down that route, I hope that some portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the
> GNOME Foundation.
Yes, it would be fair.


> I do hope that you succeed. I think it is important for the market for
> applications if there was a model that succeeded, and that one can make money from copyleft
> software directly from users.


Thank you for this very detailed answer :)


> Best,
> sri
>
> [1] - I am not in anyway accusing you of planning a bait-n-switch - just that a semblance of
> impropriety can start an internet mob going and harm our brand.