[cobalt-developers] [CQ3-OSS] The Sun BSD License

[Anders <andersb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am not a lawyer, just another hacker...
(this legalese all look the same to me)

Maybe someone who is (or plays one on TV),
can explain to me the difference between:

* The "Sun BSD License": (as used by Cobalt Qube3 OSS)
http://developer.java.sun.com/berkeley_license.html

> This software is provided "AS IS," without a warranty of any kind. ALL EXPRESS
> OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
> WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
> NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. SUN MIDROSYSTEMS, INC. ("SUN") AND ITS
> LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE AS A RESULT
> OF USING, MODIFYING OR DISTRIBUTING THIS SOFTWARE OR ITS DERIVATIVES. IN NO
> EVENT WILL SUN OR ITS LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST REVENUE, PROFIT OR
> DATA, OR FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE
> DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED AND REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT
> OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF SUN HAS BEEN ADVISED
> OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
>
> You acknowledge that this software is not designed, licensed or intended for
> use in the design, construction, operation or maintenance of any nuclear
> facility. 

* And the original "BSD License": (revised, actually)
http://www.opensource.org/licenses/bsd-license.html

> THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
> AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
> IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
> DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
> FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
> DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
> SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
> CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
> OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
> OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

I think I get the part about the nuclear facilities.

But what is the reason for the other differences ?
Just the way that Sun Legal likes to play the game ?

--anders

PS. Sigh, I remember when this was all about writing code and
    not software patents or licenses and disclaimers or such...