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by Tomte 487 days ago
> When using iText Core/Community under AGPL, you must prominently mention iText and include the iText copyright and AGPL license in output file metadata, and also retain the producer line in every PDF that is created or manipulated using iText.

https://itextpdf.com/how-buy/AGPLv3-license

Not really AGPL, they just advertise AGPL and mean something else. Avoid.
2 comments
swsieber 487 days ago
Hmmm... they link to the AGPL and state it's under that. In a conflict between the two, the website extras, and the AGPL requirements, which would win?

I personally think the AGPL would win, but it's not something I'd be willing to enter a legal battle over.

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Tomte 487 days ago
Exactly. That’s why I said avoid. Even if you think the AGPL prevails.

You already know that the licensor has his own, idiosyncratic interpretation. He either misunderstands the AGPL (probably clause 7 par 3 b), or he’s trying to deceive you. Both cases can easily lead to hostilities.

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fweimer 487 days ago
Even more confusing is that the AGPL explicitly deals with this scenario:

“ If the Program as you received it, or any part of it, contains a notice stating that it is governed by this License along with a term that is a further restriction, you may remove that term. ”

https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl-3.0.en.html

I think the expectation here is that commercial users purchase the AGPL opt-out.

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weinzierl 487 days ago
The (A)GPL explicitly allows certain restrictions under section 7 (Additional Terms).

Back in the day FlowPlayer (a JavaScript component to play videos on the web) used additional terms per GPL section 7 to force users of their unpaid version to keep their mark intact in the UI or for modifications keep a "based on FlowPlayer" in.

I followed the discussion on this back then and the consensus seemed to be, that this is in line with what section 7 of the GPL allows. I think there was even a statement of the FSF, but I could not find it anymore.

Of course the iText case is different, but I believe section 7 (especially 7b) allows a way to add terms for attribution.

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dec0dedab0de 487 days ago
I don’t think the outputted files count as part of the program, which makes that requirement even more absurd.

Imagine if Bic said you had to write their name on every page you used one of their pens on.

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weinzierl 487 days ago
The output can contain code that itself is under GPL. Basically the bison case.
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weinzierl 487 days ago
Not a lawyer but these could be valid additional terms under section 7 (likely 7b) of the AGPL.
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