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Re: [LUG] Dansguardian was GPL/antitrust

 

On Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:55:24 +0000
"Michael Mortimore" <nospamformike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> On 11/28/06, paul sutton <zleap@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Again it sounds like a mis interpratation of the GPL,
>
> Don't agree with you there. He says that once it's been downloaded
> from the site then it's pure GPL and you can give it away for free if
> you want. it's only the act of dowloading that is subject to the
> licensing restrictions.

It's the act of downloading upgrades that is the main issue - the GPL
allows anyone to redistribute the original downloaded copy so that part
is a red herring. What matters is the method of obtaining updates
*between* releases. He just wants to charge for downloading those,
that's all. Those updates that survive can be incorporated into the
next version. Easy.

Projects have the right to restrict access to development code of GPL
projects - it has to be that way, otherwise every free software
developer would have to use public CVS/SVN repositories for even the
smallest package.

No, all that matters is that when the code is distributed, the source
code is available as per the GPL. Until distribution, the modifications
to the current release do not have to be available to anyone.

--


Neil Williams
=============
http://www.data-freedom.org/
http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/
http://www.linux.codehelp.co.uk/

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