Contributor Agreement for re-licensing AztecEditor-iOS from GPL v2 to MPL v2.0

[maxme]

WordPress-Mobile organization is relicensing AztecEditor-iOS code base from GNU General Public License, v2 (GPL v2) to Mozilla Public License v2.0 (MPL v2.0). In this ticket, we're asking all contributors to give their permission for this change.

Why Switching from the GPL v2?

The GPL v2.0 license is a blocker for distributing AztecEditor-iOS in proprietary mobile apps or in open source apps that are not GPL-compatible. Rich text editor libraries in the mobile space are lacking. There is no well known open source rich text editor for iOS and we believe that AztecEditor-iOS could be used more and get more contributions with a less restrictive license than the GPL v2.

Why the MPL v2.0?

• It's less restrictive than the GPL and LGPL. MPL licensed software can be combined with other material if the files are separated (see paragraph 1.7 Larger Work and 3.3 Distribution of a Larger Work in the MPL v2.0). This allows proprietary mobile apps to integrate AztecEditor-iOS.
• It's a copyleft license, like the GPL, every derivative work must be licensed under the same license. Unlike the BSD or MIT licenses, no one can distribute the code under different terms. It forces anyone modifying AztecEditor-iOS. to contribute back with their changes (bug fix, new feature, etc.).
• It's compatible with the GPL v2 (see paragraph 1.12 Secondary License and 3.3. Distribution of a Larger Work in the MPL v2.0), so integration into WordPress and the WordPress apps won't be a problem.

What happen if I don't agree?

We'll remove or rewrite your contributions so that the relicensing can go forward while respecting your copyright.

What does this change cover?

The relicensing covers the code in AztecEditor-iOS repository: https://github.com/wordpress-mobile/AztecEditor-iOS

What happen with previous versions of AztecEditor-iOS?

AztecEditor-iOS versions prior to the license switch will remain under the GPL v2.

Contributors

If you're in the list below, you contributed to AztecEditor-iOS as an external contributor. We ask you to post the following comment on this ticket if you agree with the change:

I agree that my past contributions to AztecEditor-iOS are relicensed from
the GNU General Public License v2 to the Mozilla Public License version 2.0.

If you don't agree, please post a comment as well (and possibly explain why), this will help us move forward faster.

• @azone
• @rmccue

[maxme]

Hey @azone and @rmccue 👋 - reminder that we're waiting for your comments here.

[rmccue]

Hey @maxme, sorry for the delay; keep forgetting to comment!

I agree that my past contributions to AztecEditor-iOS are relicensed from the GNU General Public License v2 to the Mozilla Public License version 2.0. 😄

[azone]

Hi @maxme, Sorry for the delay in so long time.

I agree that my past contributions to AztecEditor-iOS are relicensed from
the GNU General Public License v2 to the Mozilla Public License version 2.0.

[maxme]

Thank you @rmccue and @azone - I'll open the PR to switch the license very soon.

[maxme]

closed via #1305