2010/9/24 Siju George <[email protected]>: > BSD code cannot be stolen. It can be used by all. > The BSD code can be stolen is a myth that GPL guys propogated for some time.
What do you say about EnterpriceDB? > When they tried to steal it the LAW came into play and they could not do it. License explicitly stated, "* Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer." So when some one from Linux community replaced that text with GPL, it was against law. BSD license does not allow re-licensing code explicitly. So things not allowed in the license is not allowed as per copyright law. I completely agree with Theo's and Eben's take on this. But the other point about redistribution of binaries still exist (I quoted that condition in my previous mail). > GPL in itself does not encourage but forces to share. Yes. > Where as BSD Licence encourages to share in an ethical way. You distribute source, keep the license, if it is binary just reproduce the notice. It does not require publishing of source code for those who distribute it in binary form. > The problem is GPL freaks says Propreitery poeple does not Open Source > their code. > But after all it is a code they have written they have the right to do > what ever they want with it. The law gives them that right. If you > don't want to use it then don't use it! The last line is what exactly GPL folks tell proprietary folks. It is a two-way street, you take code, then you give back your changes, to others who get the software from you. Don't like GPL, don't use our code. GPL cannot enforce other people to release code they write. GPL is applicable only when they take some GPL licensed code and mix it with their code. > Propreitry people have taken BSD code a lot and have given a back at > numerous times. And did not give back on numerous times. There is nothing requiring them to give back, if they are just distributing binary. But in case of GPL code, every time they distribute, they have to give source code *Every Time*. Not only when they like it. Well, even with that strict condition, many don't play by the rules. So we got to court. It is validated in court that a company using GPL code in their product has to give their users source code. > What the GPL guys tried to do this time was that Take BSD code and re > licence it as GPL so that BSD guys can't take back anything. That was wrong, ethically and legally. > The LAW requires that if some one takes a BSD licnece and adds GPL > code the file should be dual licenced thus the resulting code is > accessible to the BSD guys too. Isn't that fair? You take some thing > from some one and give them back? Isn't that freedom? But now GPL guys > tried to delete the BSD licence from those files and thus make it GPL > only. I agree it was very wrong of the linux folks. That kind of behavior does not belong in our community. > They found that it is not lawful to do that! And there the myth they > spread that BSD licenced software can be stolen. The myth broken was not that. You cannot re-license BSD code to GPL, but there is nothing stopping a proprietary company distributing binaries to keep source code to themselves. > It is all in the public archives. > > A lot of people who speak about licneces does not know any thing about > it but to interpret the words acording to their english knowledge. > Well they can interpret as they want but only what the court > interprets will stand legally :-) Yes, indeed. > That is one reason I don't try to correct guys who interpret it in > thier terms on a mailinglist or so. If they really wanted to learn the > truth they will go and read :-) others who are bent on saying my > rabbit has 3 horns let them do it ;-) It is not something most people learn in their school or college, so at times someone needs to explain it. Considering, there is enough confusion out there already. > So to learn about licences start from > > http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/berne/trtdocs_wo001.html > That is about copyrights. I have not read it yet, I will read it. Thanks for the link. -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് You have to keep reminding your government that you don't get your rights from them; you give them permission to rule, only so long as they follow the rules: laws and constitution. _______________________________________________ Indian Libre User Group Cochin Mailing List http://www.ilug-cochin.org/mailing-list/ http://mail.ilug-cochin.org/mailman/listinfo/mailinglist_ilug-cochin.org #[email protected]
