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From: terry@cs.weber.edu (A Wizard of Earth C)
Subject: Re: Restrictions on 'free' UNIX / 386BSD (R
Message-ID: <1992Aug18.015903.8526@fcom.cc.utah.edu>
Sender: news@fcom.cc.utah.edu
Organization: Weber State University (Ogden, UT)
References: <1992Aug17.162946.7751@gateway.novell.com> <1992Aug17.191129.19698@nrao.edu>
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 92 01:59:03 GMT
Lines: 47
In article <1992Aug17.191129.19698@nrao.edu> cflatter@nrao.edu writes:
>In article 7751@gateway.novell.com, terry@ithaca.Eng.Sandy.Novell.COM (Terry Lambert) writes:
>>In article <5146@airs.com> ian@airs.com (Ian Lance Taylor) writes:
>>>I know this issue gets chased around and around a lot, but, after all,
>>>just because the Hurd is covered by the GPL does not mean it can not
>>>be sold shrinkwrapped in a store. The GPL just means that the
>>>distributor has to put a piece of paper in the shrinkwrap saying
>>>``send $100 for complete source code'' as well as another saying ``you
>>>may give this software to your friends.''
>>
>>I'm a bit confused by this statement -- $100 for GNU Hurd's source code,
>>or $100 for ABXZ Computing's modified GNU source code? Does this require
>>that ABXZ Computing run a GNU tape copying site for their users, or can they
>>give GNU's address on the card? Do they *have* to have a card if the software
>>is modified? Do they *have* allow access to their modifications source? Do
>>they have to allow you to give away their software to their friends, or only
>>the GNU stuff?
>
>The GPL is very clear on these issues. If ABXZ modifies any GNU
>software then the modified software is a derivative work and falls
>under the GPL. This includes the modifications made by ABXZ. ABXZ
>must make the source (including their modifications) available to third
>parties and charge no more than the cost of copying and distribution unless
>they include the source with the distributed binaries. ABXZ must include
>a written offer (valid for at least 3 years) to make the source available
>with the binaries; referring buyers to the FSF is not sufficient.
Does this mean that I can't sell my own program (we'll call it '/usr/bin/true')
for $500.00, and then give away GNU Hurd in order to run it, but don't tell
anyone what the program is (except you all know now ;-)), offer to send source,
like in GPL, but say they can't copy it because they can't distinguish my
part from GNU's part?
Because Hurd is an OS, does this mean that *any* application that runs on it
is a derivitive work and falls under GNU Public License?
Terry Lambert
terry_lambert@gateway.novell.com
terry@icarus.weber.edu
---
Any opinions in this posting are my own and not those of my present
or previous employers.
--
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terry@icarus.weber.edu
"I have an 8 user poetic license" - me
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