On Thu, Jun 29, 2006 at 08:24:02PM +0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > On Thursday 29 June 2006 20:01, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi there...i am new to all things linux/gnu/gpl etc etc.... > > Can anyone tell me if someone was to use a group of gnu/gpl > > programs to provide a service for a fee....is this legal > > under the licensing terms? > > The GPL states: > You can do anything you like with the code > You cannot restrain anyone else from doing what they like with it > > There are additional constraints if you write code: if it's based on anybody > else's GPL code then you must make sources available too. > > Simple, easy, and legally verbose. > James
James, as summaries of the GPL go this leaves a lot to be desired! You left out the most important word: distribution. The GPL is most often listed in a file called COPYING for a reason. In particular your 2nd last para "There are additional ..." is quite misleading. Just because you modify GPL code doesn't mean you have to give away the result. To make it otherwise would violate an principle perhaps even more precious to RMS than sharing, and that is privacy. You are never obliged to tell anyone what you've done with code unless you _distribute_ the compiled version. Matt -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
