Re: gnat-3.10

[Ronald Cole <ronald@ridgenet.net>]

kilgallen@eisner.decus.org (Larry Kilgallen) writes:
> I thought the rule was merely that one had to distribute source to those
> to whom one distributed the binary, without restriction on their right
> to redistribute.

After re-reading the GNU Manifesto, it's clear that Stallman only
wants to make sure that one can get the source code to any GPL'd
binary one finds himself in possession of.  Even though Stallman pays
lip service to Kantian ethics ("Since I do not like the consequences
that result if everyone hoards information, I am required to consider
it wrong for one to do so.  Specifically, the desire to be rewarded
for one's creativity does not justify depriving the world in general
of all or part of that creativity." [GNU Manifesto]), it would appear
that the GPL is powerless to prevent the following scenario:

		  MAKE MONEY FAST HOARDING GPL'D SOFTWARE
			  Version 1, June 1997

1.  Make very useful enhancements to software that Stallman and others
    have worked hard on to make "free".
2.  GPL those useful enhancements.
3.  Find companies that are willing to pay big bucks for said
    enhancements.
4.  Said companies, after paying through the nose for GPL'd software,
    are unwilling to re-distribute because the GPL apparently only
    obligates one to distribute source if one distributes binaries.
    (Why would someone want to incur this obligation for something
    they had to pay a lot of money to acquire in the first place?)

Thus, as an implementation of the "Golden Rule", the GPL loses.

> The general way of getting the sources would then be to find one of
> those large customers who are paying for support.  I would advise a
> gentler approach than has been used in this thread.

Doubtful ACT will ever give out it's client list.  I know I wouldn't
give out mine.

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