Xorg copyright infrigement

[Mateusz Jończyk]

Hello,

W dniu 02.04.2014 07:53, Dave Airlie pisze:
>>> +/*
>>> + * Generate a CVT standard mode from HDisplay, VDisplay and VRefresh.
>>> + *
>>> + * These calculations are stolen from the CVT calculation spreadsheet written
>>> + * by Graham Loveridge. He seems to be claiming no copyright and there seems to
>>> + * be no license attached to this. He apparently just wants to see his name
>>> + * mentioned.
>>> + *
>>> + * This file can be found at http://www.vesa.org/Public/CVT/CVTd6r1.xls
>>> + *
>> In the copyright law, the license defaults to "illegal to use in any circumstances".
>> The fact that the author "seems to be claiming no copyright" is not enough.
>> So the code should probably be cleanly rewritten or a license from the copyright
>> holders obtained.
>> As specified in the file header at
>> http://www.elo.utfsm.cl/~elo212/docs/CVTd6r1.xls
>> which seems to be the same as mentioned in the comment
>> "Comments, bugs, call Graham Loveridge at 408 934-4394 or fax (408) 262-7989 or
>> e-mail graham at genesis-microchip.com".
>>
>> Rev 1.0 is apparently based on some other spreadsheet by Andy Morrish so he should
>> be contacted also.
>>
> 
> IANAL and I doubt you are, but I don't think you can copyright
> mathematical forumla, its not like
> we are copying the spreadsheet here, which is what would be copyrighted.
> 
> Dave.
> 
As mentioned further in the comment:

+ * Comments and structure corresponds to the comments and structure of the xls.
+ * This should ease importing of future changes to the standard (not very
+ * likely though).

The mathematical formula is not copyrightable, but the order of computations,
separation into the steps, etc. is.
I may CC debian-legal for some guidance.

I will write to the email address mentioned in the spreadsheet. Let's see if it is
active.

-- 
Greetings,
Mateusz Jończyk