[Fwd: OT? Re: [Fsfe-uk] GPL'ing old versions of code]

[Richard Smedley]

Apologies for any duplication, but I originally sent this to the list
at 9:59 and it still hasn't showed up here.

- Richard


Richard Smedley wrote:
> 
> Dave Crane wrote:
> >
> > -- Richard Ibbotson wrote: ---
> > The rest of the message is ignored:
> > >
> > > You could produce version 1 and then when you produce version 2 you
> > > could GPL version 1 and give it away ?
> > >
> > --- to which Bob Ham replied: ---
> > > Release a version *without* source?  Heresy!
> >
> > Out of idle curiosity, I wondered if this would be allowed under the GPL.
> > Assuming that the v2 code reuses a lot of the internal code from v1, then
> > once v1 is GPL'd, and v2 statically links to it, doesn't the GPL cover v2
> > as well?
> 
> The copyright holder may do what she likes with the code and can release
> it under as many different licenses as she desires. Code released under the
> GNU GPL remains under the GNU GPL - however that same code can also be
> released under a proprietary license as well (by the copyright holder) and
> a "closed" development branch started; cf TuxRacer.
> 
> I think any proposed accounts package would benefit hugely from being entirely
> under the GNU GPL, due to the confidence that could be engendered by a product
> guaranteed to remain free and supported - for any business that adopted it
> this would be a mission-critical app and closing code would not encourage
> involvement.
> 
> 
> > There are other ways of making money out of the latest version of course,
> > even if its released with source code e.g. pay for a support package or
> > printed docs or whatever. And withholding the source (which I don't think
> > Richard suggested) would discourage new developers from joining the project.
> 
> **Support, support, support**
> Faced with a choice between getting a package for nothing and trusting
> someone in
> their IT dept to tinker with it
> _vs_
> Paying huge amounts of money for a well-supported GPL'd package
> 
> *any* manager of a large company would always pay the money.
> 
> It's all about accountability - if you'll excuse the pun ;-)
> 
> 
> > I'm Dave Crane, BTW, java and linux developer/consultant, based in Bristol. 
> > Wandered onto this list via the local LUG. Hi.
> 
> Hello Dave
> 
> - Richard
> 
> --
> 
> Richard Smedley
> Production Editor, Linux Format
> 
> Telephone +44 (0) 1225 442244 ext 5038


-- 

Richard Smedley
Production Editor, Linux Format

Telephone +44 (0) 1225 442244 ext 5038