I think are now dancing on a pin here, but I think what you are talking about 
is "conveyance" which has a particular meaning in this context. Let me take a 
stab at it: Conveyance is "the process of transferring property from one owner 
to another." It's very contextual.

One individual handing licensed software to another for themselves, even 
licensed under GPLv3, is engaged in conveyance. GPLv3 says here that the 
individuals must comply with all the license terms here, because it's going 
from one owner to another. 

If the individuals are working for the same company, which is using the 
software, hand software between them, no conveyance takes place, and, thus no 
GPLv3 obligations.

In this particular instance, I get why you don't object to individuals trading 
software among themselves. It's not on a mass scale, and harms no one. When 
it's done on a mass scale, and GPLv3 not followed, a line is crossed. I get 
that.

But know that you and GPLv3 are drawing the line in two different places. The 
GPLv3 approach is more enforceable in this case, but as a practical matter, 
thats probably not very important. 

Thank you for taking the time to respond. It did satisfy my curiosity. Im happy 
to continue the discussion, on list or off, but it's pretty off topic at this 
point, having little to do with WSJT or even Amateur radio in general. We are 
now deep into a subtle, somewhat unimportant, but still interesting, copyright 
and contract law topic. 

Thanks. Robert. AD6I.

On Thu, Jun 4, 2020, at 10:18 AM, Bill Somerville wrote:
> Robert,
> 
> that's not correct. Once a binary distribution is offered, however 
> indirectly, to the public; the requirements to make sources available 
> including any modifications, to include a GPLv3 licence or compatible one, 
> and so on. Personal use does not incur those responsibilities.
> 
> See this FAQ entry from the FSF: 
> https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#GPLRequireSourcePostedPublic
> 
> 73
>  Bill
>  G4WJS.
> 
> On 04/06/2020 17:24, Robert A. Klahn (AD6I) wrote:
>> Bill:

This is more a curiosity than anything else. GPLv3 makes no distinction between 
personal and non-personal use. Are you simply saying you are less bothered by a 
license violation when it comes under "personal use"? What license violation do 
you think is going on here? What IP do you think is being disrespected here?

I don't want to enter into a GPL vs BSD vs MIT debate here. Thats been done in 
detail elsewhere, and not my intent. Im far more interested in knowing what 
line you think is being approached here. 

Thanks. Robert. AD6I.

On Thu, Jun 4, 2020, at 8:48 AM, Bill Somerville wrote:
>> 
>>> On 04/06/2020 16:03, Stephen VK3SIR wrote:
>>> 
>>>> I have also a background report, based off my compile, that FT-891 now 
works. 
>>>> 
>>> Steve,

you stated the above, that is indirect evidence that you have 
distributed a binary version of WSJT-X. If you have only done that to 
friends with notification that the software is GPLv3 licenced and the 
recipient is also bound by that licence; then that is OK as it falls 
into the remit of personal use. But I am well aware that you may get 
several requests to distribute to others; as you have stated that you 
have a binary copy available that does something different from the 
current WSJT-X official release, on a public forum. Past experience has 
shown that some Amateur Radio operators have little or no respect for 
the IP of others, I am not accusing you of that or anything else, just 
reminding you of your responsibilities.

73
Bill
G4WJS.
> 

> 
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