On Wed, Oct 20, 2004 at 01:51:29PM +0100, Anthony Youngman wrote:
> Sorry, my goof. I shouldn't be sloppy. It's the FSF faq. "Is making and
> using multiple copies within one organization or company "distribution"?
> <> ". As I read that, it's simply saying that the "you" in the FAQ can
> be a company, and as such internal distribution is just "use" and the
> GPL doesn't apply.
That makes sense.
Then again, easyco's page says:
Local subsidiaries and franchisees are clearly separate business
entities and considered distribution rather than use. Similarly,
provision of non-GPL-compliant copies to independent contractors
under non-GPL terms may constitute unpermitted distribution. When
in doubt, have your attorney review your usage for compliance,
or purchase a commercial QM license.
There's a bit of fud in there, and a bit of sales pitch, but they seem
to be leaving the boundaries in the same place as the fsf.
Mind you, in most companies the data is likely a lot more significant
than the code. Hard coding business secrets into a program likely
indicates a lack of flexibility and is probably a sign that the business
is in trouble.
--
Raul
