Full Disclosure mailing list archives
Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning
From: Tomasz Konefal <tkonefal () compt com>
Date: Tue, 04 Nov 2003 16:13:44 -0500
Jonathan A. Zdziarski wrote:
I see a couple slight modification to the GPL that would've fixed some of the controversy around RedHat and SuSe's questionable practices, and would certainly make it a much more fair playing field for developers: 1. The GPL license ought to require that any binary distribution of the software _identical to the distribution media's format_ be made freely available.. or some similar lingo that would require RedHat to make their compilations freely available, so if they want to sell RedHat Enterprise Linux, they must also make the CD image freely available to anyone who only wants the media. This would keep them from sticking packages up on their FTP while they charge for the CD compilation. 2. The GPL should have a redistribution clause stating something to the effect that all other software being distributed in a compilation or distribution have a compatible license as well; e.g. SuSe can't go and close the source for their installer or distribute GPLd packages with any other tools that aren't open-source and freely available. This is basically saying, "If you want to redistribute it in binary form, you are free to do so, but if you're going to make any money off of my software you better make yours freely available and open-source too"
your proposed changes do nothing to help developers. they only help freeloading users. your second suggestion stoops very low by attempting to acquire the right to distribute a developer's efforts and code using leverage instead of ethics. this rips off developers who do not want their software to be licensed with the GPL. remember, the GPL is not about protecting people - it's about protecting code.
the GPL, as it stands, does what it has always set out to do - make source code of binaries available to developers who have legally acquired the binaries for further improvement or distribution. it is not the intent of the licence to make anyone financially richer, to make things easy for end users or to burden binary distributor with the responsibility of supplying anyone's software 'fix', be it for features or security patches.
cheers, twkonefal -- Tomasz Konefal Systems Administrator Command Post and Transfer Corp. 416-585-9995 x.349 _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
Current thread:
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning, (continued)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Shawn McMahon (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Ron DuFresne (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Shawn McMahon (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Paul Schmehl (Nov 03)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Tim (Nov 03)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Jonathan A. Zdziarski (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Tim (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Jonathan A. Zdziarski (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Rui Miguel Seabra (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Jonathan A. Zdziarski (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Tomasz Konefal (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Kenton Smith (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Vincent (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life ...and SuSe, and the rest. Daniele Muscetta (Nov 04)
- Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life ...and SuSe, and the rest. Jonathan A. Zdziarski (Nov 04)
- Re: Re: Fw: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Jonathan A. Zdziarski (Nov 03)
- Re: Red Hat Linux end-of-life update and transition planning Cael Abal (Nov 04)