On Wed, 2006-06-14 at 14:38 -0700, jdow wrote: > From: "Les Mikesell" <lesmikesell@xxxxxxxxx> > > > On Wed, 2006-06-14 at 13:01 -0400, Sean wrote: > > > >> > Unless you want/need to combine it with something already under a > >> > different license. Then it is not only not free, it can't be shared > >> > at all, even with people who already have the other component. > >> > >> Which is really the main point of the license. It _shouldn't_ be free > >> to people who don't want to play along and give back to the process. > > > > And how does that relate to this situation? Assume you have a > > proprietary library that communicates with some particular > > device. Perhaps patented technology is involved so there is no > > way to legally duplicate the functionality. You do some work > > to make a useful GPL program use that library to work with your > > device. You'd like to share that work with others who also > > have the same device and library. The GPL restricts you from > > legally doing so. > > Heh, how many people on this list are using illegal software so that > they can view their DVDs on Linux in the United States? In theory they > are violating the GPL as well as US laws. But they don't care, unless > I decide I want to develop a software widget that runs on Linux, does > not come with source code, and costs money. > > Again, GPL needs to get cleaned up to face some realities. So does the > US Patent and Copyright system. Both are seriously broken. ---- evidently you decided to re-enter this thread even though you professed to be done with it. Would you care to explain... How someone is violating GPL License by using illegal software so they can view their DVD's on Linux in the United States? How GPL is 'seriously' broken? Apparently corporations like Novell and Red Hat feel secure enough to release their efforts under GPL License so perhaps you want to expound on why you think GPL is broken. Perhaps I can learn from your arguments but from this perspective, it would appear that you just lob unsubstantiated and outrageous opinions without an iota of evidence to support them. Craig
