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That's a better way of looking at it.
Compared to yesterday's piece, this is a much more informed look at the supposed issue.

I agree that changes that are made to a GPL code base should, in the spirit of the license (all of them), be given back. Your use of a GPL code base has saved you many, many manhours of coding (please don't get PC on my use of manhours). The simplest form of repayment for that savings is the return of your code to the original code base.

However, the GPL makes a mistake in its "letter" that alloows this loophole to even exist. Unfortunately, it's there for the duration for any GPL v2 licensed code.

I've personally contributed many lines of code to the Linux and FreeBSD realms - even when I didn't have to. My attitude, and my company's attitude, is if it's now better for me, why not make it better for others. This is what we need to get out as the message - play up the "Spirit" of the license over the "Letter" of the license.

- Sent from my AT&T Rotary Phone
Posted by: Timpraetor   Posted on: 02/19/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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That's a better way of looking at it.  Timpraetor | 02/19/08
I love the tag line!  DanaBlankenhorn ZDNet Moderator | 02/19/08
... but it's the letter that matters  Timpraetor | 02/19/08
Good thinking  orcmid | 02/19/08
I'm a big Dan Bricklin fan...  DanaBlankenhorn ZDNet Moderator | 02/19/08
RE: How hard is it to violate the GPL?  none none | 02/19/08
Great link!  DanaBlankenhorn ZDNet Moderator | 02/19/08
RE: How hard is it to violate the GPL?  BrucePerens | 02/19/08
Eben it is, then...  DanaBlankenhorn ZDNet Moderator | 02/19/08
Dana, I have a small quibble with your choice of words.  Letophoro | 02/20/08
Thanks  dpnewkirk | 02/20/08
You cannot steal what the author specifically gives you.  dave.leigh@... | 02/21/08

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