3 ms·

As a GPL code auhtor, I gave anybody the right to use my code as a complete program or to build derivative programs that have a strong tie with my original code

by wiz21c 4y ago

As a GPL code auhtor, I gave anybody the right to use my code as a complete program or to build derivative programs that have a strong tie with my original code (derivative work). I didn't envision that my code would be split into tons of little code snippets and then sold around. Doing so, the spirit of the GPL-isation of my software has been betrayed. There's also a free flow of information argument. Citing pieces of my code is good for that flow. But MSFT doesn't seek free flow here, it seeks a money-making flow. So I disagree. I understand your explanation and somehow, it sounds right on the pragmatic level. But on the idealistic level, it sounds wrong :-/ Dunno...

jillesvangurp 4y ago
It's right in the legal sense. Until someone with a smart lawyer proves it wrong in a court and gets the judge to agree. Ideology does not factor into the interpretation of the law by judges in court cases. Only in the making of the law (by politicians). On balance, you are distributing software that is copyrighted (nothing you can do about that). The GPL gives users some limited permissions that undo some of the restrictions that come with copyright. Fair use applies to copyrighted material regardless of the license and is not something you can actually restrict with a license. That kind of is the whole point of fair use. So, the GPL, it's (supposed) intentions, and idealism don't factor into the equation here. That's just not how it works. Sorry to burst your bubble.
- leereeves 4y ago
  > Ideology does not factor into the interpretation of the law by judges in court cases It certainly does. That's one big reason why judges often disagree and judges' rulings can often be predicted by which party appointed them. But the copyleft ideology in particular rarely factors into court cases, because few judges care about it.

by wiz21c 4y ago

jillesvangurp 4y ago

It's right in the legal sense. Until someone with a smart lawyer proves it wrong in a court and gets the judge to agree. Ideology does not factor into the interpretation of the law by judges in court cases. Only in the making of the law (by politicians). On balance, you are distributing software that is copyrighted (nothing you can do about that). The GPL gives users some limited permissions that undo some of the restrictions that come with copyright. Fair use applies to copyrighted material regardless of the license and is not something you can actually restrict with a license. That kind of is the whole point of fair use. So, the GPL, it's (supposed) intentions, and idealism don't factor into the equation here. That's just not how it works. Sorry to burst your bubble.

leereeves 4y ago
> Ideology does not factor into the interpretation of the law by judges in court cases It certainly does. That's one big reason why judges often disagree and judges' rulings can often be predicted by which party appointed them. But the copyleft ideology in particular rarely factors into court cases, because few judges care about it.