There are some things we need to know that aren't described below. Was the
FlightGear source modified? If not, then they would be distributing an
existing FlightGear that anyone can download. All they need do is mention
where FlightGear source can be obtained. If they have modified source code
to FlightGear, then they should make the source code available (if
requested) to anyone who asks. That doesn't mean anyone would want it. I
also would not have a problem with source code to a demo NOT being released
if the intent was to keep (at this time) potentially dysfunctional code from
escaping into the wild, as long as the eventual production code was made
available, if requested, and if potential customers were made aware of that
right to the source code.
You've got to ask, really, is FlightGear made to be used or not? Is a usage
good for the long term, or not? How persnickety do you really want to get?
As we've discussed before, money is not the issue, but whether the customer
is aware of the fact that the source code is available (and perhaps that the
program can be downloaded freely from the FlightGear web site).
Is FlightGear GPL or LGPL?
Jon
From: Curtis Olson [mailto:curtol...@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:31 PM
To: FlightGear developers discussions
Subject: [Flightgear-devel] hypothetical gpl question
Here's a hypothetical question.
Let's say some company "A" builds an internal product prototype that
incorporates FlightGear as part of a larger aggregate system. Let's say
they even make a few small changes to FlightGear. Now they give away a demo
system to a couple different potential customers and say, "Hey what do you
think." They haven't rolled out an actual product, they haven't had any
actual sales. No customer has paid any money for the copy of the system.
Has the GPL been violated?
Curt.
--
Curtis Olson: http://baron.flightgear.org/~curt/
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