Re: [RE: RPG Code on the NET]

Paul,

Contrary to your "reading" of the GPL, Red Hat, Caldera, et al do not "sell' 
Linux
itself, but they can charge for the packaging of the whole thing on a 
convenient CD
along with their copyrighted installation manual/software.

It would be akin to a highly fragmented AS/400 code world where 1,000 authors 
each
maintained their own little tid bits on their own pages, yet under the GPL 
license
one or two enterprising persons could gather them all together and write a book
explaining how they work.  Both independently and in conjunction.  BTW, without
compensation to the authors.

Just as a minor legal terminology point: selling implies transfer of ownership. 
 I
sell you my car.  Therefore I have no claims to it.  I license my software,
therefore I retain title and grant you use.  I can at any time, revoke that 
license,
copyright it and block any further use/distribution.

Regards,
James W. Kilgore
qappdsn@ibm.net



pcunnane@learningco.com wrote:

>      To emphasise one point about the GPL:  There is *absolutely no
>      restriction* placed on the right to sell code.  The only restriction
>      is that which prevents anyone from copyrighting the code, and
>      therefore denying others access to it.
>
>      This is why the GPL makes such a clear distinction between the
>      concepts of "free speech" and "free beer".  If this needs to be
>      clarified further, look at Red Hat et al - they are selling Linux, a
>      free operating system.  If you don't want to pay them for it, download
>      it from the Net.
>
>      ____________
>      Paul Cunnane
>      The Learning Company
>

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