On 6/7/05, Glenn Maynard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The GPL deliberately places obstacles to code reuse: it disallows reuse by > projects that don't release every bit of linked code (more or less) under > a GPL-compatible license, in the hope of increasing code reuse in the long > term. I believe that to be a simple, obvious statement of fact, and not one > that anyone should be offended by: the GPL restricts use of code, to use > free software as an incentive for other authors to place their own works > under GPL-compatible licenses.
The GPL's drafters profess to believe this statement about the GPL and linked code; but it is not true under US law as I understand it, and other debian-legal contributors with actual legal qualifications in civil law countries have agreed as regards their jurisdictions. IANAL, but I can back this assertion up with case law out the yin-yang. My essay on this topic is rather long, is still in draft, and might find a more formal publication channel, so I'm disinclined to post it to d-l at this time; but anyone who would like a copy for private review need but ask, as long as they agree not to "publish" it. Cheers, - Michael
