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From: Robert A Duff <bobduff@world.std.com>
Subject: Re: GPL and "free" software
Date: 1999/05/06
Message-ID: <wcc7lqm41oj.fsf@world.std.com>#1/1
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Date: 1999-05-06T00:00:00+00:00
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Robert Dewar <robert_dewar@my-dejanews.com> writes:

> Suppose two companies want to work together on a super
> secret GCC implementation for a super secret chip (I will
> leave the imaginative reader to fill in appropriate
> details).
> 
> They cannot exchange derived versions of gcc, since
> these would have to be distributed under the GPL *without*
> any additional restrictions (like non-disclosure
> agreements).

Wouldn't this reasoning apply within a *single* company, too?  Because
the single company developing the super-secret chip presumably has
employees, and very well might want to both (1) let them see the derived
work, and (2) forbid them from telling secrets.  In other words,
counting both the company and its employees, there are always going to
be two or more legal entities involved.

- Bob
-- 
Change robert to bob to get my real email address.  Sorry.