Re: and visual library once again

["Steve Whalen" <SteveWhalen001@hotmail.com>]

Larry Kilgallen wrote:
> In article <1129861178.782874.87870@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
"Steve Whalen" <SteveWhalen001@hotmail.com> writes:
...
> > But it is important to remind anyone asking such a question that they
> > can sell the program ONLY if they give a copy of the source code to the
> > customer they sell it to (including the right of that customer to give
> > the source and binary to anyone else they want per the GPL).
...
>
> It is not a problem for anyone who actually sells their software.
>
> It is a problem for those who follow the customary practice of
> Microsoft, Symantec, Computer Associates and actually _license_
> their software rather than selling it.

OK, I'll bite.  Why does it matter whether a programmer "licenses" a
program to customers or "sells" it?

I think the distinction relevant to whether or not the GPL creates a
"problem" for a programmer, is whether or not the programmer sells a
proprietary program (closed source to the world, whether or not source
is shipped with the binary). If the program being sold must be
proprietary (not "open source") in order to keep competitors (or
customers) from eliminating your income stream, then the GPL is a
problem, whether you "license" the software or "sell" it.

Yes the Microsofts of the world tend to license software instead of
selling it, but they have everything in common with a one person
programming shop which "sells" their program, if both must remain
"proprietary" in order to stay in business. GPL programs are also
"licensed" for a cost of $0 and compliance with the terms of the GPL,
which specifically precludes truly proprietary programs if you transfer
them (via sale OR licensing) to other people or companies (you can
write and use proprietary programs as long as you keep it inside your
company and don't sell it to others).

If Microsoft compiled the next version of their "Office" suite with
AdaCore's GNAT GPL compiler, their market would dry up the day after
they shipped the first copy and someone else got the source under the
GPL and compiled it and released it to the world.  Same thing would
happen to a one programmer shop in many markets.

Steve