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Guillaume Rousse wrote:


> However, FSF people seems to be less anal:
> http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#TOCSourceAndBinaryOnDifferentSites
> "To make a reasonable effort to comply, you need to make a positive
> arrangement with the other site, and thus ensure that the source will be
> available there for as long as you keep the binaries available."

It's impossible to meet this requirement of the GPL philosophically. I
cannot speak as to the legal definition, but I am 100% sure that in
reality no one can meet this requirement.

Here is the problem text (taken from the GPL FAQ):

``The GPL says you must offer access to copy the source code *from the
same place*; that is, *next to* the binaries.'' (emphasis mine)

I defy anyone to define (definitively) ``same place'' and ``next to'' in
this context. It can't be done. The Internet has no concept of
``place''. It is not physical. Therefore, it is impossible to actually
meet this definition.

Let's even try to make a *reasonable guess* as to what they might mean
or want:

* On the same disk---or is this not enough?

* In the same directory---or is this not enough?

* On the same sector of the hard disk---or is this not enough?

* A contiguous sequence of bytes on the same physical platter of the
hard disk---or this this not enough?

At least any ``reasonable interpretation'' would seem to rule out the
even using the ``same'' virtual HTTP or FTP server from using different
disks or having ``rotating'' mirrors.

I even claim it is impossible (or, not reasonably possible) to ensure
the physical location of the file as being ``in the same place'' as
another file, unless you can somehow ensure a contiguous set of bytes on
your hard disk. And even then, who would reasonably be satisfied?

- --
Sincerely,

David Walluck
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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