Joseph S. writes: > However, I have one problem with GPL: it talks of source code, linking, > calling, mixing/combining free/non-free code and finally free/non-free > documents. But nobody seems to be talking of concepts, ideas and layouts.
For good reason. The GPL is a copyright license. It applies only to expression. Copyright has nothing to do with concepts, ideas and layouts. > If I copy UI ideas and program features from a well-made GPL program into > my program, without even looking once at the source code, let alone > copying it, and acknowledge the idea contribution explicitly in my > License agreement, am I said to be abiding by the GPL as far as "ideas" > or "concepts" go? It doesn't matter what the copyright license on the program is because copyright does not apply to ideas and concepts. > You see, in both cases, the idea is what I have copied (used from the GPL > package). But, I am specifically, explicitly stating that I took this > idea from so-and-so GPL program, thereby immediately *transferring* the > idea to anyone who reads the license. Thus, the idea remains "free > software". > Anything wrong with that? Nothing at all. Ideas are Free. -- John Hasler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dancing Horse Hill Elmwood, WI USA _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
