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On Mon, 2005-12-26 at 21:26 +1300, Wesley Parish wrote: > You might like to read this: > http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html > > "Many people believe that the spirit of the GNU project is that you should > not > charge money for distributing copies of software, or that you should charge > as little as possible -- just enough to cover the cost. > > "Actually we encourage people who redistribute free software to charge as > much > as they wish or can. If this seems surprising to you, please read on. > > "The word ``free'' has two legitimate general meanings; it can refer either > to > freedom or to price. When we speak of ``free software'', we're talking about > freedom, not price. (Think of ``free speech'', not ``free beer''.) > Specifically, it means that a user is free to run the program, change the > program, and redistribute the program with or without changes. > > "Free programs are sometimes distributed gratis, and sometimes for a > substantial price. Often the same program is available in both ways from > different places. The program is free regardless of the price, because users > have freedom in using it." > > "With free software, users don't have to pay the distribution fee in order to > use the software. They can copy the program from a friend who has a copy, or > with the help of a friend who has network access. Or several users can join > together, split the price of one CD-ROM, then each in turn can install the > software. A high CD-ROM price is not a major obstacle when the software is > free." > > "Strictly speaking, ``selling'' means trading goods for money. Selling a copy > of a free program is legitimate, and we encourage it. > > "However, when people think of ``selling software'', they usually imagine > doing it the way most companies do it: making the software proprietary rather > than free. > > "So unless you're going to draw distinctions carefully, the way this article > does, we suggest it is better to avoid using the term ``selling software'' > and choose some other wording instead. For example, you could say > ``distributing free software for a fee''--that is unambiguous." > > Nobody's worried about people selling copies of OpenOffice.org they've > downloaded off the Net. The major areas of concern are something else. > > Still, it's nice to know you're concerned enough. Thanks > > Wesley Parish > > On Sun, 25 Dec 2005 08:05, Richard Harpe wrote: > > To whom it may concern, > > > > While browsing eBay I had noticed a very shocking thing: people are > > selling OpenOffice 1 & 2! I hope they have your blessing to do this??? I > > always thought OpenOffice.org was open source and free to download off > > your site? > > > > Just a concerned user, > > Richard Harpe IMNSHO there is nothing wrong with charging a small fee for distributing "Free" software on CD. I have done so myself on many occasions as a service to customers & associates who have slow and/or expensive dial-up connections. I am not selling the software, I am charging for the cost of the blank CD, the CD labelling and packaging (~$5), plus postage if necessary. The shocking (scam) aspect comes about when unsuspecting people are offered "Free" software at an exorbitant cost without being advised that it can (in most cases) be obtained free of charge. The details of the OOo licences can be found here: http://about.openoffice.org/index.html#licenses What you see on eBay is legal (maybe not always ethical), but thanks for your concern. Dave --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
