Elxis License Guidelines

Elxis is a software released under the GNU General Public License. A copy of this license is included with your copy of Elxis and can also be found at http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl.html. Unofficial translations can also be found at http://www.fsf.org/licenses/translations.html.

1. Who owns the copyright to Elxis?
The copyright to the Elxis brand and logo is held by Elxis Team, a group of developers that create Elxis CMS. Copyrights in the code are owned by the authors. You should be aware that under the GPL who holds the copyright to the code bears little relation to the use of the code. The terms of the GPL, rather than copyright law, spell out how the code may be used, modified, and distributed.

2. Are there any restrictions to your use of Elxis?
The GNU GPL grants you the freedom to use the software for whatever purpose you see fit.

3. May I charge money to distribute Elxis?
The GPL allows everyone the freedom to do this. The right to charge money to distribute Elxis is part of the definition of "free" software. When people think of "selling software", they usually imagine doing it the way most companies do it, making the software "proprietary" rather than free. So to avoid ambiguity, you may charge to distribute the software and any other service you provide along the way. You may not charge for the software itself. Remember if someone pays your fee, the GPL also gives him or her the freedom to pass on the software with or without a fee.

4. May I remove "powered by Elxis - The Professional Open Source CMS" from the footer?
Yes you can, although, we would hope that you would retain it to help spread the word about Elxis.

5. May I remove the "copyright" statements from the Elxis source code?
No, you must keep all copyright notices and credits in the source code.

6. Does the GPL mean that my web site content is also GPL?
No. The copyright and license of Elxis does not cover the content that you create. Using Elxis does not place any restrictions, legally, on the license or copyright you use for the content of your web site.

7. I have modified Elxis for my own web site. Do I have to release these modifications?
The GPL permits anyone to make a modified version for their own use without the requirement to distribute it or pass on those changes to others.

8. I have made a modification (hack) to the Elxis core code. Do I have to release it under the GPL?
If you choose to distribute your modifications to others it must be released under the same terms that you received the original code. So your modifications must be released under the GPL. You may of course in this case modify the headers for the source code to include your own copyright statement after the original copyright statements. If you do so, you must clearly annotate in the source code your amendments, changes or additions.

9. I have written a Component, Module, Template, Mambot, Language, Bridge, Tool for Elxis. Do I have to release it under the GPL?
No. The GPL allows you to write your own extensions for Elxis and to release those extensions under whatever license you choose.

10. I have written a Component, Module, Template, Mambot, Language, Bridge, Tool for Elxis and released it under the GPL and I charge a fee for it, but web site X is giving it away for free! Is that right?
Remember if someone pays your fee, the GPL also gives him or her the freedom to pass on the software with or without a fee because the GNU GPL license must go along with the distribution of the software.

11. May I purchase a copy of Elxis, which has the copyright statements removed?
No. Some GPL products are distributed that way (often called dual licensing) but Elxis is not.

12. I believe someone is in breach of the GPL, what should I do?
We would ask you to report it, but please first check all the facts before you send an e-mail to the elxis.org.

13. Who has the power to enforce the GNU GPL license of Elxis?
Only the copyright holder Elxis Team has the power to do this. If the Elxis Development Team finds, or is made aware of, a breach of the GPL, they will report it to Elxis Team for them to take any necessary action.

14. Web site X is using or offering my non-GPL Component, Module, Template, Mambot, Language, Bridge, Tool without my permission, or in breach of its license, can you help me?
Whilst this is not within the remit or responsibility of Elxis, we are willing to act as intermediaries in this on your behalf. In most cases these situations arise out of simple misunderstandings and can be settled amicably. You should e-mail full details to elxis.org.

15. What about translations of Elxis? Who owns those?
If translation files are distributed with Elxis distribution, they become part of the code and they are derived works of the original Elxis files, so they are licensed under the GNU/GPL. If translations files are offered independently, then please read paragraph 9.

DISCLAIMER
This document refers to the software program Elxis, Version 2008 and all previous and subsequent versions, released under the GNU General Public License and copyrighted Elxis Team.

This document is subject to additions, modifications and other changes at any time without notice.

A lawyer has not prepared this document. You should consult a lawyer experienced in copyright, licensing and intellectual property for clarification.

Document Rev. 1.1 - November 11, 2007