Re: RPG 400 code on the NET

["James W. Kilgore" <qappdsn@xxxxxxx>]

Jim,

Now I'm no lawyer, but I disagree with you about the GPL license in regard to 
code
snippets.

As I read it, the GPL license prohibits one from profiteering from a derivative 
of
another's work.  In the original context of the GPL license, the original work 
is a
"full and working program".  Subsequent contributors would refine the original 
work.

The original author and contributors are all acknowledged.  It's more of an 
informal
resume building exercise.

For example, I have a routine which allows one to build an available Fxx key 
text
string on the fly.  As such, it is not a "full and working program" and I would 
not
place it in public domain under the GPL license.  I -would- put it out for 
public use
under a shareware license.

The normal practice for shareware would require that copyright be acknowledged 
and
notice of such retained in all derivative works.
The nominal request for "registration" fees aid in the support of experimental 
works.
It is a way of funding a hobby.

AFAIK, the GPL license requires that the source code be made available for 
anyone to
modify.  A service program under a shareware license would not have such a
restriction.  There is a "free for personal use" clause, but a caveat about 
commercial
(for profit) use.  If you want to use the code in a commercial product, you must
contact the author and negotiate a license agreement.

This may be a better suited venue for AS/400 shared code.

Jim Langston wrote:

> I don't' think we want to do that, Paul.  If I use someone's code snippet
> in a program I write, I want to be able to turn around and sell that
> program.  Well, right now I'm working for another company, and we
> are using everything in house, but others may want to sell their programs.
>
> I have no objection to giving someone some code, they include it in
> a program, then make a million dollars off it, more power to them.
>
> What I think we are talking about here is making everyone's life
> a lot easier by making us all reinvent the wheel.
>
> The GPL license says that if you use that code in your program, you
> can not then sell your program.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jim Langston
>

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