On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 5:23 AM, Jon S. Berndt wrote:
> 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?
>
FlightGear is GPL. FlightGear is of course made to be used. In the
hypothetical situation I am describing, I have not had any hypothetical
contact with the hypothetically alleged GPL infringer so I have very little
information to go on (hypothetically.)
The consensus is that only distributing a demo or free copy of a modified
binary does not exempt someone from honoring the terms of the GPL. That
makes perfect sense and it's good to cut away that potential distraction.
It is also good to be reminded that distributing a modified binary isn't
necessarily a violation in and of itself. The violation would technically
happen when someone who received the modified binary asked for the modified
source code and was refused. Here's a question: Does a 3rd party have the
right to ask for the modified source code, even if none of the entities
receiving the modified program don't care to ask for the source code?
I appreciate all the feedback.
Thanks,
Curt.
--
Curtis Olson: http://baron.flightgear.org/~curt/
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