[Freeipa-devel] [ALL] How to contribute to FreeIPA

[Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay]

Simo Sorce wrote:
> Good news! 
> 
> We now have clear guidelines for contributions of code, documentation,
> patches, and artwork to the FreeIPA project.
> 
> Every free software/open source (FOSS) project requires legal guidance
> with regard to copyrights, patents, and trademarks. While some
> projects require full copyright assignment to the project or a
> sponsoring organization, others allow individual contributors to
> retain their copyright.
> 
> We have decided to expand on the popular Fedora model and, with the
> community in mind, developed a generic Contributor License Agreement
> (CLA): [link here].  The CLA grants to Red Hat, as the sponsor of the
> project, a license on all code contributed to the project. This
> permits Red Hat to license the code under a FOSS license of its
> choice.  The author of the code continues to hold the copyright in
> that code, and is free to contribute the same code to other projects
> and to license it under whatever terms the author desires.
> 
> The CLA needs to be completed and sent to Red Hat before you begin
> contributing code to any of the projects listed in Appendix A of the
> document. At that point all your contributions, if accepted by the
> project, are covered by the CLA.
> 
> Q: Why do you require me to sign a CLA ? 
> 
> A: We think it is important for a central organization to manage the
> various legal issues surrounding FOSS projects. With a CLA, we will be
> able to react and respond to these issues on behalf of the entire
> project. We are committed to the values underlying FOSS, and these
> provisions are meant solely to keep the project safe from legal
> problems that may arise.
> 
> Q: What if I am already contributing code to Fedora? Does this CLA
> still need to be completed?
> 
> A: Yes.  This CLA is modeled on the original Fedora CLA, but with some
> improvements.  By completing the new CLA, you can begin contributing
> code to any of the projects listed in Appendix A.  This doesn't affect
> any of your rights in your previous contributions.
> 
> Q: Why is the license granted to Red Hat and not to the project?
> 
> A: Most FOSS projects are not organized as legal entities.  In some
> cases, difficult issues can arise if ownership and licensing of
> copyright is not administered properly.  By licensing the code to Red
> Hat, the author retains ownership of the copyright.  Red Hat helps by
> managing the licensing of the project code under the appropriate FOSS
> license.
> 
> If you want to contribute, please complete the form and send it back
> to the address indicated on the form.
> 
> If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CLA, please
> contact Richard Fontana <rfontana at redhat.com> or Bill Baroniunas
> <wbaroniu at redhat.com>.
> 
> 


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