I'm really arguing with a brick wall here. Maybe you don't get what I am
trying to say and instead keep repeating dogma that I am aware of.
Here are three scenarios:
1. User can download the free software package easily and at no cost with
source code right there. They can do what they want according to the 4
essential freedoms according to the FSF. The user can setup the software on
their computer or web server using their technical knowledge. If they don't
have it, they hire someone and the code remains GPL as the contractor is
setting up the software and doing cosmetic changes without changing the core
code.
2. User gets stuck and time is important to him. He goes back to the website
and sees that the owner of the software offers a support contract. He
compares the cost to hiring an independent contractor off of Indeed or
Craigslist and the support contract is cheaper. The owner offering the
support contract lets them know that they can offer "enterprise only" plugins
not offered with the free version in addition to offering installation and
customization support.
There may be a customization that gives the corporation "competitive
advantage" and the nature of the GPL forces all code to change into the GPL
and be released. The software owner offers to dual license the software
between the GPL and their commercial license so the corporation has comfort
in their changes not being released to the public. If or when the support
contract ends, the plugin gets removed and the software returns to being GPL
only.
3. The corporation owner is comfortable with paying software licenses and
feels that there is value from it. This type is dependent on Microsoft
software and their company is comfortable to paying thousands of dollars for
licenses. Heck, they may even spend 5-10k a month with their coffee
distributor. He still thinks that free equals cheap or the quality will never
be on par with the paid for version.
The owner of the software offers the commercial license as an option because
they are giving options to their potential client. They want to make money
off of the client for future support contracts and have to be flexible with
their options. Each client has different comfort levels and as the company
that offers a product or support to them, you have to be prepared to have
multiple case scenarios.
So Magic, was that good enough for you? Maybe since you are an academic in a
European country, your viewpoint is on a different wavelength that someone
who is more of a businessman. Are the Steve Wozniak type or are you the Steve
Jobs?
