Re: Problem with GNAT modified GPL and SourceForge

[Darren New <dnew@san.rr.com>]

Georg Bauhaus wrote:
> Everywhere from a US point of view, maybe, I don't know. But over
> here, the originator (need to talk about them too) of a work is
> always a human beeing and can in a sense be held responsible for
> what he or she has created. "Responsibility" has to be defined
> but this doesn't change the fact that you have to be careful
> here when you talk about your software being in the public domain.

As the OP said, "public domain" means "entirely free of copyright and
licensing restrictions". It doesn't mean "entirely free to use in every
way without anyone having responsibility."  Indeed, many pieces of
software that would otherwise be PD are released under a license that
says basically "you may use this only if you don't sue us." If a country
puts restrictions on a work such that it cannot be entirely free of
copyright and licensing restrictions, then that country is simply saying
that nothing is public domain as far as they're concerned.

Consider - I can put a letter that threatens to assassinate the
president (Hi, FBI!) into the public domain. You may copy it and do with
it whatever you want. That doesn't mean it's legal for me or you to mail
such a thing to the president.

-- 
Darren New 
San Diego, CA, USA (PST). Cryptokeys on demand.
  The opposite of always is sometimes.
   The opposite of never is sometimes.