4 ms·
But isn't the distribution charge nullified by the first person who distributes the software free of charge (and they are free to do so because the software is
by chestervonwinch 11y ago
But isn't the distribution charge nullified by the first person who distributes the software free of charge (and they are free to do so because the software is libre)?
- throwawayaway 11y agoNot far from the top of the article: Since free software is not a matter of price, a low price doesn't make the software free, or even closer to free. So if you are redistributing copies of free software, you might as well charge a substantial fee and make some money. Redistributing free software is a good and legitimate activity; if you do it, you might as well make a profit from it. also: making closed and open versions is OK by rms. https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling-exceptions.html https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling-exceptions.html
- discordianfish 11y agoI think the point is that once you sold a copy of your free software once, the buyer may give it away for free. Realistically I'd say it's not really possible to make money by selling free software. That's okay if you can make money off from services and integration but selling isn't really possible and some free software advocates tend to ignore that fact. Especially if it's about other digital content like music. I don't think that Wu-Tang Clan's model of just selling one copy will very be sustainable.
- throwawayaway 11y agoIt is possible, I'm sure there's other examples - here's one: http://www.juce.com/buy http://www.juce.com/buy If you think of kickstarter etc for free software projects, that is like selling one copy.