Re: GPL and "free" software

[Barry Margolin <barmar@bbnplanet.com>]

In article <7g5cb2$bjn$1@netnews.upenn.edu>,
Paul Hughett <hughett@chaplin.med.upenn.edu> wrote:
>Barry Margolin (barmar@bbnplanet.com) wrote:
>: In article <7g4jme$5sq$3@netnews.upenn.edu>,
>: Paul Hughett <hughett@chaplin.med.upenn.edu> wrote:
>: >Paragraph 7 of the GPL (version 2) grants C the right to
>: >use/copy/modify/etc the software, even if B made and distributed the
>: >copy in violation of the GPL.  C arguably has the same rights
>: >with respect to B's modifications of the code, but I would want to do
>: >some more study and thinking before I would be really sure of it.
>
>: I don't see that in paragraph 7.  It describes the situation where other
>: considerations (such as patent infringement) contradict the GPL, and says
>: that the consequence of this is that you can't distribute the program at
>: all.
>
>One of us must have a garbled copy or got the wrong section by accident.
>The paragraph that I am referring to reads as follows:
>
>7.  Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
>Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
>original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to
>these terms and conditions.  You may not impose any further restrictions 
>on the recipient's exercise of the rights granted herein.  You are not
>responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to this License.

In my copy (the version that accompanies GNU Emacs 19.34, labeled GNU
GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE, Version 2, June 1991) that's paragraph 6.  My
paragraphs are:

1. You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Program's
2. You may modify your copy or copies of the Program or any portion
3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
4. You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program
5. You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
6. Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
7. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
8. If the distribution and/or use of the Program is restricted in
9. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
10. If you wish to incorporate parts of the Program into other free
11. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
12. IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING

>Okay, not that we are both reading from the same text, do you still
>disagree with my interpretation?

I think I agree.

>Also note that B does not have the right to distribute the software--even
>his own modifications--under any license other than the GPL.  That's
>why they call the GPL a virus.

You can use other licenses than the GPL, but they have to be compatible --
they can't impose additional restrictions, but they can give additional
freedoms.

-- 
Barry Margolin, barmar@bbnplanet.com
GTE Internetworking, Powered by BBN, Burlington, MA
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