On Sun, 2005-06-12 at 22:27 +0200, Esben Stien wrote: > Brian Capouch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > > what alternative means exist out there for Digium to try to ensure > > their corporate existence? > > They already stated that the proprietary version, if I'm not mistaken, > is nothing but the free version, but with a custom set of features > that fits their support plan. > > Why not just offer support on these features?. It's not harder than to > state which features are supported and it what shape asterisk must be > in to be qualified for support. >
Because the gpl is parasitic. If I got a commercial license from digium I could add proprietary code to it to work with say some trade secret protected technology that I have (lets pretend I make pbxs or something). Under the GPL *MY* code *MUST* be GPLed as well, and open for all to see. For many corporations giving out their trade secrets (which immediatly invalidates the trade secret status since you have to actively protect them) or other IP would be unacceptable. This allows asterisk to be used, at least in part, by companies that have other products, not just asterisk boxes. If all you want to do is resell asterisk service the GPL suits that, if you want to give your customers a CD (or other media/access) of the code. If however you did not want to do that then a commercial license is the way to go. I do not see this as a big point for the commercial license, I instead see it as development by companies that have some existing code base or protocol or interface or other process they dont want public. > All in all, there is a solution to support the project as a whole as > long as you got qualified support personell. > You as an individual can sell support on asterisk, and their commercial licenses and GPL issuance of the code doesnt prevent digium from doing the same. There are reasons other than support to get a non GPLed version of asterisk. Personally I find myself supporting asterisk on irc more than anything else. And that makes it easier to juggle multiple things where a live voice connection would not make it so easy :) -- Trixter http://www.0xdecafbad.com Bret McDanel UK +44 870 340 4605 Germany +49 801 777 555 3402 US +1 360 207 0479 or +1 516 687 5200 FreeWorldDialup: 635378
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