Re: [LINUX5250] License is a non-issue?

[Steve Fox <drfickle@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 2002-02-08 at 14:19, Scott Klement wrote:
>
> The BSD license _does_ require that you give credit to the original
> developers, because it requires that if you distribute it "with or without
> modifications" that you reproduce the original copyright and disclaimer.

I stand corrected. I was thinking more of giving the code back than I
was credit.

> It's true that you can take something written with the BSD license, make a
> modification, and then sell it for big bucks...  However, you can also do
> that with the LGPL.  You can even do it with the GPL, but you have to
> charge for "support" or "transfer", rather than for coding...  but it all
> amounts to the same thing in the end.

Yes, you can definitely sell it for big bucks, but with the LGPL and GPL
you have the right to get those changes for "media" costs. With BSD, you
may never get it.

> Everybuddy and VirtualDub are both GPLed packages.  You seem to be
> implying that they would've been safe against the problems they
> encountered if they'd used the GPL -- but the fact is, they DID use the
> GPL.

My point was that these problems were resolved because the FSF
threatened to sue the violators under the terms of the GPL.

[snip theoretical possibilities discussion]

> Let's get the license fixed and move on.

I agree. Sorry for the side discussion. I am just paranoid of evil
natured persons stealing your hard work.

--

Steve Fox
IBM Linux Technology Center
http://www.ibm.com/linux/ltc
http://k-lug.org