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I think this is a golden example of how to reply to an accusation: lay down the facts, don't get down to the mud, but clearly expose the other side's errors - w

I think this is a golden example of how to reply to an accusation: lay down the facts, don't get down to the mud, but clearly expose the other side's errors - with class!

return0 10y ago
Sounded a bit snarky, and avoids the issue really: if wix plays equally they should do what wordpress does and give their code for free. a CEO should know that. The correct reply would be to apologize and build their own editor.
- markdown 10y ago
  > The correct reply would be to apologize and build their own editor. After first releasing the entire application that used some GPL code.
  - stale2002 10y ago
    Why not just stop infringing? That is also an option. Just stop using the GPL code.
    - brazzledazzle 10y ago
      The license doesn't reflect that as an option right? Yeah you might be liable for damages but if you could just create a product as a thin wrapper around GPL as a shortcut to get to market faster and dump it later when you get caught it would almost make the entire point of the GPL moot.
      - stale2002 10y ago
        I mean, that's not how copyright law works. Generally if you are infringing on copywrite, you just have to STOP infringing and you are good. You can't embed gotcha clauses that say "if you break this copywrite, you have to pay me a billion dollars".
        mixedCase 10y ago
        Absolutely wrong. If you pirate a movie but then stopped distributing it and deleted it, you're not off the hook.
    - markdown 10y ago
      Assume they have sold me their software. I am using this app that contains GPL licensed code. AFAIK, they can't take back this software I've bought from them, and due to the GPL, they are obliged to provide the source code for the entire app to me if I want it. Whether they stop infringing on any further sales of the software is of no consequence to me and to the software they already sold me. IANAL.
WWKong 10y ago
And maybe just follow the licensing terms?
mwfunk 10y ago
They're still not complying with the GPL though? It's completely cut and dried, it's not an argument where people can have differing opinions with varying degrees of validity. The GPL is a very well-known and widely understood license.
- nicky0 10y ago
  But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.
- nicky0 10y ago
  But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.
- nicky0 10y ago
  But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.
Lazare 10y ago
> lay down the facts, don't get down to the mud, but clearly expose the other side's errors - with class! That is, indeed, a good way to respond to an accusation. It is not, in any sense, what Wix did. The response was free of facts, snarky, and didn't even address the claims the other side made, much less expose any errors. What Wix needed to do was say "oh hey, good catch, we'll be compliant soon" or "thanks but we think we're compliant". They did neither.
- harperlee 10y ago
  Ok, fair point. I might have been light on the facts of the case. But (the following is not you specifically :) but I can't just edit my original post) I got several negatives... They are not meant to show disagreement, if I'm not mistaken. Please remember to comment when you down vote if you see my comment as against the policies - otherwise there is no way to improve HN comments.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]

I think this is a golden example of how to reply to an accusation: lay down the facts, don't get down to the mud, but clearly expose the other side's errors - with class!

return0 10y ago

Sounded a bit snarky, and avoids the issue really: if wix plays equally they should do what wordpress does and give their code for free. a CEO should know that. The correct reply would be to apologize and build their own editor.

markdown 10y ago
> The correct reply would be to apologize and build their own editor. After first releasing the entire application that used some GPL code.
- stale2002 10y ago
  Why not just stop infringing? That is also an option. Just stop using the GPL code.
  - brazzledazzle 10y ago
    The license doesn't reflect that as an option right? Yeah you might be liable for damages but if you could just create a product as a thin wrapper around GPL as a shortcut to get to market faster and dump it later when you get caught it would almost make the entire point of the GPL moot.
    - stale2002 10y ago
      I mean, that's not how copyright law works. Generally if you are infringing on copywrite, you just have to STOP infringing and you are good. You can't embed gotcha clauses that say "if you break this copywrite, you have to pay me a billion dollars".
      - mixedCase 10y ago
        Absolutely wrong. If you pirate a movie but then stopped distributing it and deleted it, you're not off the hook.
  - markdown 10y ago
    Assume they have sold me their software. I am using this app that contains GPL licensed code. AFAIK, they can't take back this software I've bought from them, and due to the GPL, they are obliged to provide the source code for the entire app to me if I want it. Whether they stop infringing on any further sales of the software is of no consequence to me and to the software they already sold me. IANAL.

WWKong 10y ago

And maybe just follow the licensing terms?

mwfunk 10y ago

They're still not complying with the GPL though? It's completely cut and dried, it's not an argument where people can have differing opinions with varying degrees of validity. The GPL is a very well-known and widely understood license.

nicky0 10y ago
But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.
nicky0 10y ago
But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.
nicky0 10y ago
But if you stop infringing the GPL, the terms of the GPL no longer apply, so you cannot be forced to obey it's terms. You can however be sued for damages due to the historic copyright infringement.

Lazare 10y ago

> lay down the facts, don't get down to the mud, but clearly expose the other side's errors - with class! That is, indeed, a good way to respond to an accusation. It is not, in any sense, what Wix did. The response was free of facts, snarky, and didn't even address the claims the other side made, much less expose any errors. What Wix needed to do was say "oh hey, good catch, we'll be compliant soon" or "thanks but we think we're compliant". They did neither.

harperlee 10y ago
Ok, fair point. I might have been light on the facts of the case. But (the following is not you specifically :) but I can't just edit my original post) I got several negatives... They are not meant to show disagreement, if I'm not mistaken. Please remember to comment when you down vote if you see my comment as against the policies - otherwise there is no way to improve HN comments.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]