> (because forks can replace the original, which has happened in the past) This is the kind of subversive language that I take issue with. Once I release a pie

> (because forks can replace the original, which has happened in the past) This is the kind of subversive language that I take issue with. Once I release a piece of code, it exists now and forever, until its bits are deleted from every last storage medium. A fork has nothing to do with that code's existence. It may be the case that a fork gains favor and is more widely used than the original piece of software, but the original piece of software still exists and is perpetually free. > Personally, I don't think that a single source being free captures the point of the word "perpetual" I'm not taking issue with your ideas (in this thread, anyway). I'm taking issue with your phrasing and the way you've expressed your ideas. I thought I was pretty clear on that. You're using words like "enslaving" and "they don't care about freedom," which is just a way to discredit, shame and condescend those that don't share your beliefs. It's a classic debate tactic. > Why doesn't it happen with SQLite? I think it probably does, it's just that the creators don't care about that (and they're at liberty to do that). But one of the largest operating systems in the world (GNU/Linux) is created using many components under the GPL. So cherry-picking projects doesn't help either of our cases (and there are many more high-profile projects under copyleft licenses than in the public domain). It is unbelievable how much you're twisting my words. I called out SQLite as an example that public domain is in wide use beyond a "few western countries", which was a response to your snubbing your nose at my terminology. Like public domain is some obscure thing? Well, no, actually, it's used by one of the most popular software projects in the world. How could it still be obscure? That was my point. The idea that I cited SQLite as some kind of evidence that public domain is "better" than copyleft is ridiculous. It's even more ridiculous that you implied that I argued that "X doesn't happen to SQLite." I didn't.