]That is the thing I can't seem to figure out per GPL, the idea is if you ]pay $ for software it *must* include the source, thus if the source is ]passed on to everyone else .. there is nothing to say its "against the ]law" since no company license is allowed to pass.
No, they don't have to include the source, they must simply make you an offer to provide the source for a nominal fee. For instance, I believe Microsoft charges you $20 for the CD if you request the source to their GPL programs. Many software vendors that use the GPL extensively provide an FTP site where anyone can download the source, but this is because they find it cheaper than administering a more restrictive regime and/or because they like the good will it generates in the community. Apparently, it is 3 years (section 3.b). Also, it seems if you distribute the exact same binary you got from Sveasoft non-commercially you don't need to distribute the source (section 3.c). http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html Here's the relevant section: 3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following: * a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or, * b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or, * c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.) -- Daniel -- NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/ Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/ Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
