Newsgroups: php.internals
Path: news.php.net
Xref: news.php.net php.internals:127996
Feedback-ID: i8414410d:Fastmail
Precedence: bulk
MIME-Version: 1.0
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:01:02 -0500
To: "php internals" <internals@lists.php.net>
Message-ID: <94c9afec-91ef-4e8d-8c29-487b596ae048@app.fastmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <70DC3FB4-C98E-4C79-AB2C-F2B65AE8B9F1@php.net>
References: <70DC3FB4-C98E-4C79-AB2C-F2B65AE8B9F1@php.net>
Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] [RFC] Updating the PHP License
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
From: larry@garfieldtech.com ("Larry Garfield")

On Wed, Jul 9, 2025, at 10:22 PM, Ben Ramsey wrote:
> Hello internals,
>
> I=E2=80=99m opening discussion on an RFC proposing that we relicense P=
HP under
> the Modified BSD License (SPDX identifier: BSD-3-Clause), starting with
> PHP 9.0. This change simplifies and modernizes our licensing,
> addressing long-standing issues while preserving the rights of both
> contributors and users. Below is a quick summary of what the RFC
> proposes and what it means for developers.
>
> - Proposes that PHP 9.0 adopt the Modified BSD License (BSD-3-Clause),
>   replacing the current PHP and Zend Engine licenses.
> - The Modified BSD License is OSI-approved, GPL-compatible, and widely
>   recognized in the open source community.
> - Your rights as a developer=E2=80=94use, modification, distribution=E2=
=80=94remain
>   unchanged.
> - Extensions and tools may adopt BSD-3-Clause in place of the outdated
>   PHP License.
> - The update removes confusing legacy clauses tied to branding and
>   permissions.
>
> I=E2=80=99ve spoken with all members of the PHP Group, and each has vo=
iced their
> approval of this proposal. The Perforce legal team has also informally
> approved, and I will be working with them to get a formal letter of
> approval soon.
>
> The RFC is available at: https://wiki.php.net/rfc/php_license_update
>
> Discussion will remain open for at least six months to ensure all
> interested parties have an opportunity to respond.
>
> Cheers,
> Ben
>
> P.S. For legal questions or concerns, I=E2=80=99m working with Pamela =
Chestek
> of Chestek Legal <https://www.chesteklegal.com> on behalf of the PHP=20
> Group. You may be familiar with her work as chair of the license
> committee for the Open Source Initiative.

This is long overdue and very welcome.  Thank you, Ben!

--Larry Garfield