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Yes, but there has to be a clause in the GPL to cover it. It can't simply be covered by the spirit of the license. The excerpt Ben posted wouldn't invalidate the old Section 11, there might be something in there that does, but I've never heard of it covering data transfered through the application; in fact it would be silly to do so. A lot of companies wouldn't use GPL if it didn't allow them to put restrictions on data going through the application because while they may want to GPL the application, they may be using it for transferring sensitive data, which if the GPL was applied in the ways described above, would make that data re-distributable by the user in the same way the program is. That would have all sorts of implications for companies using GPL'd software in corporate environments. Regards, Ross Bearman On Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM, Simon Waters <simon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Brad Rogers wrote: >> >> I don't see how the GPL precludes such terms in a second license; GPL is >> to do with source distribution, and code modification rights, etc. not >> data througput. > > No, the GNU GPL covers distribution, not just source distribution, that > includes binary distribution from the author to other people if he uses > the GNU GPL as the licence. > > A second licence could exist, and you could have obtained the program > under that licence, but then the GNU GPL would not be relevant at all. > > The GNU GPL specifically exists to stop people who are distributing or > redistributing code from placing additional restraints on your freedom > to use, inspect or modify the program. > > This is why you can't modify the GNU GPL and keep the GNU name. > > Free as in Freedom. > > -- > The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG > http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list > FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html > -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html