18 Jan
2006
18 Jan
'06
7:21 p.m.
From: Jason Filby
What we haven't defined is the process of what happens when
someone suspects that our policy has been violated. I think
now is a good time to do that. I also don't think the
offender - even if proven guilty - should be kicked out of
the project (at least not for a 1st time violation). The
code, however, should be removed and rewritten.
I'm sorry, but I disagree with you on this. We have a clear policy, everyone
contributing to the project should feel bound by it. Copyright violation is
a serious matter for software in general, but for this project in
particular. I think everyone has the same experience: when you tell other
people about ReactOS one of the first questions usually is: but won't
Microsoft sue you? My standard reply is: how could they, we're not doing
anything illegal. I think we better make damn sure that we are indeed not
doing anything illegal.
Why should we give someone who endangers the whole project only a slap on
the wrist? When he knowingly violates the policy (not to mention the law),
how can I trust him not to do that again? Trust is an important part of this
project, I'm not in the habit of disassembling Microsoft Windows to check if
a particular contribution was ripped from Windows, I need to be able to
trust my fellow devs. If it is proven beyond a reasonable doubt that someone
violated that trust I want his commit rights to be terminated, immediately.
After that we need to assess what damage was done and how we can repair it.
Hartmut: I think you need to come forward with your
investigations results as Steven asked.
Yes, please. If you know there's something broken in this project, please
give us the chance to fix it.
GvG