[Python-mode] merging python-mode.el and python.el

[Dave Love]

Barry Warsaw <barry at python.org> writes:

> While technically the python-mode.el file does not have  GPL license  
> on it, we've tried many times in the past to assign copyright so that  
> it /could/ have such a license on it, and even be owned by the FSF.

Like I just posted elsewhere (?), we -- I think at least three people at
different times -- tried to get proper paperwork for Emacs, and I gave
up when it seemed we weren't going to get paperwork from your then (or
former?) employer.  I don't know whether I can find the mail at this
remove, and I don't want to spend time looking.  I'm not questioning
your willingness, obviously; you had multiple assignments on file, and
it was clear it wasn't in your control.  I wasn't aware you'd tried and
failed (apart from that) and, as far as I remember, at that time we were
proactive in seeking assignments.

That's only relevant to copying _into_ Emacs, though, not out of it.

> though there may be contributions described in  
> comments that need to be looked at.

Indeed (or not described anywhere).

> I believe there should be no reason why python-mode.el could not be  
> released under the GPL, probably even with a copyright FSF.  If there  
> are a few contributors who need to be tracked down to get assignments  
> from, that shouldn't be difficult.

I'm not exactly a beginner in that area, unfortunately, and I wouldn't
bank on it; re-implementation is often a better bet.  Now that there's
support for, and in, Emacs, I think the issue is moot.