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This definitely looks like egregious and apparently intentional infringement, but violating the GPL is not violating a law in most countries; it's violating a l
by gunapologist99 5y ago
This definitely looks like egregious and apparently intentional infringement, but violating the GPL is not violating a law in most countries; it's violating a license agreement. Contracts are not law. Therefore, violating the GPL by itself probably isn't illegal (but it could probably become illegal if other statutes, like CFAA or RICO were brought into play.)
If I violate deed restrictions on my property by building a shed, then that wouldn't be illegal per se; it'd simply be a breach of contract and the private organization could sue me for redress.
But, if I built that same shed in the middle of a public street, then that might be illegal and the city might have me arrested and prosecuted.
- dragonwriter 5y ago> This is not violating a law; it's violating a license agreement. Contracts are not law. Following legally-valid contracts outside of any legally-valid excuse is law, which is why breach of contract is a cognizable legal cause of action.
- yjftsjthsd-h 5y ago> This definitely looks like egregious and apparently intentional infringement, but violating the GPL is not violating a law in most countries; it's violating a license agreement. If they're not following the license, then aren't they breaking copyright laws?