3 ms·

Is it possible for anyone to start a GPL-infringement suit, or does everything have to pass through the FSF?

• aw3c2 16y ago
  Of course anyone can do that. The EFF or FSF can be of great assistance though.
• narcissus 16y ago
  As far I understand it, if you are a copyright owner and your copyright is being infringed, you can start the suit. In fact, generally (at least) the FSF will only take up lawsuits when it involves infringement against their own copyright. That is one reason why they suggest that if you are writing GPL software, then you should assign copyright to them.
  • rmc 16y ago
    For the record I don't think the FSF asks that all GPL software gets assigned to them. However for all GNU software (bash, gcc etc) They want copyright assignment.
    • narcissus 16y ago
      My bad. I knew that they didn't really ask for assignment to them for all GPL software, but I was under the impression that at some point, at least, they were suggesting something along the lines of "if you want our legal representation then feel free to assign the copyright to us". Not in a mafia 'protection' way, either, but more of a logistics thing than anything. Either way, that doesn't seem to be the case. I can completely understand why they want copyright assignment with the GNU software, though. Having everyone keep their copyright 'feels' nice, but how many projects have we seen that end up almost frozen because they want to do something with the license but can't find all of the copyright owners, let alone get them to agree?