Hyman Rosen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > It occurs to me that in the U.S. there is a relatively easy > way to circumvent the requirement of giving away source code > for GPLed software. > > Company A prepares a work derived from GPL-licensed code. > Company B purchases copies of this work from Company A. > For each copy purchased, Company A sends Company B two disks, > one with the binaries and one with the sources. Company A has > thus completely discharged its duties under the GPL. Then > Company B turns around resells only the binary disks to its > customers, but not the source. Company B is allowed to do this > under the First Sale Doctrine, and therefore does not need a > license to resell the software. The customers of Company B > have no one from whom they can demand source code, and thus the > GPL is circumvented.
Where is the point in throwing away valuable material? Where is the point in paying A for copying source and binaries _AND_ then make you unable to do copies yourself? I mean, it's like circumventing robbery laws by withdrawing money from your own bank account pointing your gun on an ATM all the while. -- David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
