Re: GNAT GPL 2005 Edition is now available

[Jacob Sparre Andersen <sparre@nbi.dk>]

[ I am not a lawyer ]

Preben Randhol wrote:

> So if I bought support from Adacore (not going to as I personally
> only make GMGPL stuff) I could in fact redistribute the GMGPL
> compiler?

Yes.

> Or is there some other contract stopping me from doing it?

That contract would mean that AdaCore broke their contract with the
copyright holders (i.e. GNU GPL/GMGPL), which basically would either:

 + invalidate the contract with the copyright holders - and thus
   prevent AdaCore from using and distributing the code, or

 + not be valid.

So the answer is no.

> I mean can Adacore have a contract saying that if the compiler is
> redistributed they will not offer support anymore after the period
> you have paid for expires?

That might be possible, but I suspect that FSF would be happy to pay
the cost of disputing such a contract in court.

> I'm just trying to understand how one can make a business out of
> GPLed stuff...

By knowing the code better than your competitors, so people come to
you, when they need help with adjusting the code to a specific
purpose.

Another angle is that whenever I do consulting work, one of the
conditions is that the code can be published under an Open Source
license (which one is generally up to the costumer).  As long as you
give your costumers a chance to get first to the market, it seems like
they don't find it problematic.

Jacob

PS: I am not a lawyer - for those who didn't notice it at first.
-- 
�I'm perfectly happy with my current delusional system.�
                                           -- Mirabel Tanner