first, IANAL, but I had one semester of business law. Most of business law deals with contracts. Consideration does not have to be money. Example from class: I contract with you that, if you don't drink for a year, I will give you a ski trip. Now, did i recieve consideration? Yes, because it is assumed that I "gain" something by your not drinking. In terms of the GPL, the consideration I have always used is that I gain the knowledge of any modifications you make, if you provide the software to anyone. The consideration you gain is the ability to make said modifications.
Again, IANAL. jeff smith
