Will VMWare go open source without legal pressure?

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If You Use The Code, Play By The Rules. Period.

VMWare doesn't have much choice in the matter; the GPL makes it very clear that if you use code released under the GPL, the ONLY permission one has to use the code requires compliance with its terms (unless they're using it under a different license approved by the copyright holder). GPL code is under copyright, just as much as any closed source code is. If you don't abide by the license, you are in violation of copyright.

That said, Free Software authors are generally not a litigious bunch. They'd rather be writing code than suing people (what a concept!). If someone is caught using GPL'ed code without abiding by the license, the preferred remedy is that the one using the code either comply with the GPL or stop using the code.

No one is required to use GPL or other open source code. Using code from a closed source program is not even an option. So there's no room for whining.

If you won't play by the rules, don't use the code. WRITE YOUR OWN DANG CODE. It's that simple.

Posted by: dumptux   Posted on: 09/22/08 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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