Re: BSD license vs. Evolution assigment (was Re: Copyright assignment)

[Alan Cox <alan lxorguk ukuu org uk>]

On Sad, 2004-08-07 at 23:11, Carlos Morgado wrote:
> In fact, what happens if someone commits something to evo that goes unnoticed  
> by Novell (unlikely but hey this whole thread is based on assumptions) and  
> later sues Novell for (c) infringement on the non-free release ?
> Is something in place to prevent this ?

That would be Novells problem as would proving they really wrote all of
it which given startling similarities between bits of the older
Evolution code and other apps, or writing out anything not theirs.

It isn't as big a problem as you might think because the law isn't
stupid about such things. The US and UK and many other legal systems
have a notion of "Estoppel" (thats an ancient word lawyers use for a
promise so they can bill you for reading the other lawyers documents)

If Evolutions HACKING file clearly states that contributions must be 
assigned then sneaking one in knowing that doesn't allow you to then sue
Novell for two reasons

1. Your actions could be regarded as a promise you accept the
conditions.

2. You don't come to the court with "clean hands". People who engineer 
disputes normally get very little sympathy.

Novell might want to use ACL's on the CVS if they were paranoid I guess.

Alan