Re: what DOES the GPL really say?

[dewar@merv.cs.nyu.edu (Robert Dewar)]

Kai said

<<> I am writing a program
> I could simplify my job if I could use this code
> However, this code is copyrighted
> I do not have permission to copy the code
> Therefore I cannot use it

How about a compromise solution?

"The GPL doesn't allow me to use the code in this specific context."

Because that's what the GPL does, allowing people to use the code in
specific contexts.
>>


I see no reason for a "compromise" here, because there is nothing in
need of a compromise agreement! My formulation above is by far the
clearest way of stating things.

It is true that the GPL does not allow you to use the code in this
particular context. It is also true that the declaration of independence
does not allow you to use it, and even more relevant that the Berne
convention does not allow you to use it.

The point of stating things the way I did is to emphasize that the situation
in this case (wanting to use the code in your proprietary program) is no
different than it would be with any other copyrighted code.

Sure, i understand that people somehow think that because the code is
copylefted (a confusing and unofficial term) they should be able to use it,
but that is just confusion. 

Saying the GPL does not allow you to use it sounds like the GPL is somehow
stopping you from using it. Which gives *entirely( the wrong impression.

Perhaps you could say

The GPL does not give me permission to use this code.

But the trouble with any of these formalations is that it tends to result
in a situation where people regard GPL'ed code as somehow particularly
unusable (note the tone of Wes Groleau's comments -- his management says:
you can't use GPL'ed code -- what his management SHOULD be saying is simply
that he cannot use any copyrighted code without permission of the copyright
holder -- there is nothing special about GPL'ed code in this regard.

And yes, people do risk their jobs if they improperly use copyrighted
code, and reasonably so, copyright is the law of the land whether you
like it or not!