From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.3 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,INVALID_MSGID autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 103376,1efdd369be089610 X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public X-Google-Thread: 1025b4,499ea588f6acabff,start X-Google-Attributes: gid1025b4,public X-Google-Thread: f65d0,bd4d2fccdf730b16 X-Google-Attributes: gidf65d0,public From: Ronald Cole Subject: Re: gnat-3.10 Date: 1997/06/27 Message-ID: #1/1 X-Deja-AN: 253148213 Sender: ronald@devo.ridgenet.net References: <1997Jun23.102715.1@eisner> Organization: RidgeNet - SLIP/PPP Internet, Ridgecrest, CA. (760) 371-3501 Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada,gnu.gcc,gnu.misc.discuss Date: 1997-06-27T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: 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. -- Forte International, P.O. Box 1412, Ridgecrest, CA 93556-1412 Ronald Cole Phone: (760) 499-9142 President, CEO Fax: (760) 499-9152 My PGP fingerprint: E9 A8 E3 68 61 88 EF 43 56 2B CE 3E E9 8F 3F 2B