path: root/Doc/texinputs/license.tex

\section{History of the software}

Python was created in the early 1990s by Guido van Rossum at Stichting
Mathematisch Centrum (CWI, see \url{http://www.cwi.nl/}) in the Netherlands
as a successor of a language called ABC.  Guido remains Python's
principal author, although it includes many contributions from others.

In 1995, Guido continued his work on Python at the Corporation for
National Research Initiatives (CNRI, see \url{http://www.cnri.reston.va.us/})
in Reston, Virginia where he released several versions of the
software.

In May 2000, Guido and the Python core development team moved to
BeOpen.com to form the BeOpen PythonLabs team.  In October of the same
year, the PythonLabs team moved to Digital Creations (see
\url{http://www.digicool.com/}).  In 2001, the Python Software
Foundation (PSF, see \url{http://www.python.org/psf/}) was formed, a
non-profit organization created specifically to own Python-related
Intellectual Property.  Digital Creations is a sponsoring member of
the PSF.

All Python releases are Open Source (see
\url{http://www.opensource.org/} for the Open Source Definition).
Historically, most, but not all, Python releases have also been
GPL-compatible; the table below summarizes the various releases.

\begin{tablev}{c|c|c|c|c}{textrm}{Release}{Derived from}{Year}{Owner}{GPL compatible?}
  \linev{0.9.0 thru 1.2}{n/a}{1991-1995}{CWI}{yes}
  \linev{1.3 thru 1.5.2}{1.2}{1995-1999}{CNRI}{yes}
  \linev{1.6}{1.5.2}{2000}{CNRI}{no}
  \linev{2.0}{1.6}{2000}{BeOpen.com}{no}
  \linev{1.6.1}{1.6}{2001}{CNRI}{no}
  \linev{2.1}{2.0+1.6.1}{2001}{PSF}{no}
  \linev{2.0.1}{2.0+1.6.1}{2001}{PSF}{yes}
  \linev{2.1.1}{2.1+2.0.1}{2001}{PSF}{yes}
  \linev{2.2}{2.1.1}{2001}{PSF}{yes}
\end{tablev}

\strong{Note:}  GPL-compatible doesn't mean that we're distributing
Python under the GPL.  All Python licenses, unlike the GPL, let you
distribute a modified version without making your changes open source.
The GPL-compatible licenses make it possible to combine Python with
other software that is released under the GPL; the others don't.

Thanks to the many outside volunteers who have worked under Guido's
direction to make these releases possible.


\section{Terms and conditions for accessing or otherwise using Python}

\centerline{\strong{PSF LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PYTHON 2.2}}

\begin{enumerate}
\item
This LICENSE AGREEMENT is between the Python Software Foundation
(``PSF''), and the Individual or Organization (``Licensee'') accessing
and otherwise using Python \version{} software in source or binary
form and its associated documentation.

\item
Subject to the terms and conditions of this License Agreement, PSF
hereby grants Licensee a nonexclusive, royalty-free, world-wide
license to reproduce, analyze, test, perform and/or display publicly,
prepare derivative works, distribute, and otherwise use Python
\version{} alone or in any derivative version, provided, however, that
PSF's License Agreement and PSF's notice of copyright, i.e.,
``Copyright \copyright{} 2001 Python Software Foundation; All Rights
Reserved'' are retained in Python \version{} alone or in any
derivative version prepared by Licensee.

\item
In the event Licensee prepares a derivative work that is based on
or incorporates Python \version{} or any part thereof, and wants to
make the derivative work available to others as provided herein, then
Licensee hereby agrees to include in any such work a brief summary of
the changes made to Python \version.

\item
PSF is making Python \version{} available to Licensee on an ``AS IS''
basis.  PSF MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED.  BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, BUT NOT LIMITATION, PSF MAKES NO AND
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF PYTHON \version{} WILL
NOT INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.

\item
PSF SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER USERS OF PYTHON
\version{} FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR
LOSS AS A RESULT OF MODIFYING, DISTRIBUTING, OR OTHERWISE USING PYTHON
\version, OR ANY DERIVATIVE THEREOF, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

\item
This License Agreement will automatically terminate upon a material
breach of its terms and conditions.

\item
Nothing in this License Agreement shall be deemed to create any
relationship of agency, partnership, or joint venture between PSF and
Licensee.  This License Agreement does not grant permission to use PSF
trademarks or trade name in a trademark sense to endorse or promote
products or services of Licensee, or any third party.

\item
By copying, installing or otherwise using Python \version, Licensee
agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this License
Agreement.
\end{enumerate}


\centerline{\strong{BEOPEN.COM LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PYTHON 2.0}}

\centerline{\strong{BEOPEN PYTHON OPEN SOURCE LICENSE AGREEMENT VERSION 1}}

\begin{enumerate}
\item
This LICENSE AGREEMENT is between BeOpen.com (``BeOpen''), having an
office at 160 Saratoga Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051, and the
Individual or Organization (``Licensee'') accessing and otherwise
using this software in source or binary form and its associated
documentation (``the Software'').

\item
Subject to the terms and conditions of this BeOpen Python License
Agreement, BeOpen hereby grants Licensee a non-exclusive,
royalty-free, world-wide license to reproduce, analyze, test, perform
and/or display publicly, prepare derivative works, distribute, and
otherwise use the Software alone or in any derivative version,
provided, however, that the BeOpen Python License is retained in the
Software, alone or in any derivative version prepared by Licensee.

\item
BeOpen is making the Software available to Licensee on an ``AS IS''
basis.  BEOPEN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED.  BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, BUT NOT LIMITATION, BEOPEN MAKES NO AND
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT
INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.

\item
BEOPEN SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER USERS OF THE
SOFTWARE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS
AS A RESULT OF USING, MODIFYING OR DISTRIBUTING THE SOFTWARE, OR ANY
DERIVATIVE THEREOF, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

\item
This License Agreement will automatically terminate upon a material
breach of its terms and conditions.

\item
This License Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in all
respects by the law of the State of California, excluding conflict of
law provisions.  Nothing in this License Agreement shall be deemed to
create any relationship of agency, partnership, or joint venture
between BeOpen and Licensee.  This License Agreement does not grant
permission to use BeOpen trademarks or trade names in a trademark
sense to endorse or promote products or services of Licensee, or any
third party.  As an exception, the ``BeOpen Python'' logos available
at http://www.pythonlabs.com/logos.html may be used according to the
permissions granted on that web page.

\item
By copying, installing or otherwise using the software, Licensee
agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this License
Agreement.
\end{enumerate}


\centerline{\strong{CNRI LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PYTHON 1.6.1}}

\begin{enumerate}
\item
This LICENSE AGREEMENT is between the Corporation for National
Research Initiatives, having an office at 1895 Preston White Drive,
Reston, VA 20191 (``CNRI''), and the Individual or Organization
(``Licensee'') accessing and otherwise using Python 1.6.1 software in
source or binary form and its associated documentation.

\item
Subject to the terms and conditions of this License Agreement, CNRI
hereby grants Licensee a nonexclusive, royalty-free, world-wide
license to reproduce, analyze, test, perform and/or display publicly,
prepare derivative works, distribute, and otherwise use Python 1.6.1
alone or in any derivative version, provided, however, that CNRI's
License Agreement and CNRI's notice of copyright, i.e., ``Copyright
\copyright{} 1995-2001 Corporation for National Research Initiatives;
All Rights Reserved'' are retained in Python 1.6.1 alone or in any
derivative version prepared by Licensee.  Alternately, in lieu of
CNRI's License Agreement, Licensee may substitute the following text
(omitting the quotes): ``Python 1.6.1 is made available subject to the
terms and conditions in CNRI's License Agreement.  This Agreement
together with Python 1.6.1 may be located on the Internet using the
following unique, persistent identifier (known as a handle):
1895.22/1013.  This Agreement may also be obtained from a proxy server
on the Internet using the following URL:
\url{http://hdl.handle.net/1895.22/1013}.''

\item
In the event Licensee prepares a derivative work that is based on
or incorporates Python 1.6.1 or any part thereof, and wants to make
the derivative work available to others as provided herein, then
Licensee hereby agrees to include in any such work a brief summary of
the changes made to Python 1.6.1.

\item
CNRI is making Python 1.6.1 available to Licensee on an ``AS IS''
basis.  CNRI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED.  BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, BUT NOT LIMITATION, CNRI MAKES NO AND
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF PYTHON 1.6.1 WILL NOT
INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.

\item
CNRI SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO LICENSEE OR ANY OTHER USERS OF PYTHON
1.6.1 FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS AS
A RESULT OF MODIFYING, DISTRIBUTING, OR OTHERWISE USING PYTHON 1.6.1,
OR ANY DERIVATIVE THEREOF, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

\item
This License Agreement will automatically terminate upon a material
breach of its terms and conditions.

\item
This License Agreement shall be governed by the federal
intellectual property law of the United States, including without
limitation the federal copyright law, and, to the extent such
U.S. federal law does not apply, by the law of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, excluding Virginia's conflict of law provisions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to derivative works based
on Python 1.6.1 that incorporate non-separable material that was
previously distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), the
law of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern this License
Agreement only as to issues arising under or with respect to
Paragraphs 4, 5, and 7 of this License Agreement.  Nothing in this
License Agreement shall be deemed to create any relationship of
agency, partnership, or joint venture between CNRI and Licensee.  This
License Agreement does not grant permission to use CNRI trademarks or
trade name in a trademark sense to endorse or promote products or
services of Licensee, or any third party.

\item
By clicking on the ``ACCEPT'' button where indicated, or by copying,
installing or otherwise using Python 1.6.1, Licensee agrees to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this License Agreement.
\end{enumerate}

\centerline{ACCEPT}



\centerline{\strong{CWI LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PYTHON 0.9.0 THROUGH 1.2}}

Copyright \copyright{} 1991 - 1995, Stichting Mathematisch Centrum
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.  All rights reserved.

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation, and that the name of Stichting Mathematisch
Centrum or CWI not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to
distribution of the software without specific, written prior
permission.

STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO
THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM BE LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.