Re: GNAT GPL Edition Maintenance and Upgrades

[Poul-Erik Andreasen <poulerik@pea.dk>]

Ludovic Brenta wrote:
> Jean-Pierre Rosen a �crit :
> 
> 
>>Ludovic Brenta a �crit :
>>
>>>Jean-Pierre Rosen a �crit :
>>>
>>>>I think that this argument goes *against* the spirit of free software.
>>>>As far as I can understand, the basis of free software is "you can do
>>>>anything with this software, *except* deny to others the rights you have
>>>>received". Anything, including proprietary software.
>>>
>>>
>>>Precisely.  With the GMGPL, you receive the right to see and modify the
>>>source code of the GNAT run-time; but you can also deny others this
>>>same right.  The GPL is more "free" than the GMGPL, since with it you
>>>cannot deny others this right anymore.
>>
>>Not exactly. With the GMGPL, you certainly cannot prevent anyone from
>>seeing the source code  of the GNAT run-time; you are just not required
>>to provide it.
> 
> 
> But you can modify the run-time, ship it in binary only as part of your
> program, and prevent anyone from seeing your modifications.  Thus, you
> can make a closed-source version of the run-time.
> 

Thats wrong GMGPL dos not allow you to do that. You are even not allowed 
to modify the runtime and publicise it under GMGPL, and then use that 
libery for linking into your code. There are no inheretence in GMGPL.
Any modifications in GMGPL-code will return in GPL licenced code.

Poul-Erik Andreasen