From: Collin Funk Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2025 01:46:52 GMT Subject: Re: [PATCH] commit: Add commit.signoff configuration option Message-ID: <87wm9rklir.fsf@gmail.com> In-Reply-To: Junio C Hamano writes: > Chris Down writes: > >> Looking at public dotfiles, many users already work around this with >> global shell aliases for "commit --signoff". This creates the exact >> problem > > Users conciously using a general customization mechanism to express > specific intent like the above is one thing. Project giving users a > tool that is specifically designed to casually set and forget before > even understanding the implications is another. > > So no, anything that specifically targets commit.signoff would not > fall into the same category as end-users creating aliases for > themselves to use, I would have to say. And we do not want to give > an impression that we give tools specifically designed to encourage > users making casual sign-offs. I agree. Although the FSF copyright assignment needed to contribute to some GNU projects is time-consuming, it forces the contributor to consider "Do I own the rights to the code I create?" This isn't the case in many US states if you are an exempt employee, which most Software Developers are. Similarly, when you sign-off to the DCO you also acknowledge that you have the rights to license your work under the projects license. By adding this option, I worry that contributors will just configure it globally as a prerequisite to their work being accepted, and not consider whether they are even allowed to make the contribution in the first place. Collin