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That's the point
The "free as in speech, not as in beer" credo is simply wrong. While it may indeed be "free as in beer", open-source software is NOT "free as in speech", unless it's public domain. If the code were truly "free", then users would be able to do whatever they wish with it, with no restrictions. The fact that there are restrictions, backed by copyright law, on what can be done with it makes it "encumbered" (to use No_Ax's word). Admittedly less encumbered than so-called "proprietary" (closed-source) software, but encumbered nonetheless. And it's the claim of "free as in speech" that No_Ax is disputing, not the "free as in beer" claim. Saying that if I make changes to GPL'd code I MUST donate those changes to the community is an encumbrance. What happens if I don't? I get taken to court. How is that "free"?

Now one could argue that "free speech" isn't really free either, since there are restrictions on what can be said and where. In that light, maybe saying "free as in speech" can be seen as accurate, since speech can also be subject to copyright law (as well as the aforementioned restrictions). But to claim that GPL'd software is "unencumbered" is false, unless it is released into the public domain, with no restrictions. That would be true "unencumbered" code.

One could also argue that it's the code that's free, not the users of the code. But then that's a bit disingenuous, considering the GPL (for example) is touted as freedom for users. It's just another license, backed by law.

Carl Rapson
Posted by: rapson   Posted on: 10/19/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Under the new plan....  nucrash | 10/19/05
Microsoft simplifies code-sharing plan  Loverock Davidson | 10/19/05
Yeah, right......God bless Microsoft...  shawkins | 10/19/05
And why not?  Loverock Davidson | 10/19/05
They try  nucrash | 10/19/05
You are so right....  widge_z | 10/19/05
I know  Loverock Davidson | 10/19/05
You had my vote at Linusux..  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
Oops..  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
Its ok  Loverock Davidson | 10/19/05
I best get that trademarked then  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
I guess you don't understand  widge_z | 10/19/05
Yes  Loverock Davidson | 10/19/05
more gimmicks from M$  Linux Geek | 10/19/05
MS doesn't care what yoiu think, your not a customer.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/19/05
So Microsoft can piss off anybody they want, no problem,  DonnieBoy | 10/19/05
You wouldn't come back...  Confused by religion | 10/19/05
Re: more gimmicks from M$  Scrat | 10/19/05
Banner day for all Americans...  Mike Cox | 10/19/05
I am starving Mike...  nucrash | 10/19/05
MS is learning ...  George Mitchell | 10/19/05
Your post contains so many...  ShadeTree | 10/19/05
I disagree..  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
Sound analysis...but there's more...  techboy_z | 10/19/05
Go read the code sharing ...  ShadeTree | 10/20/05
Great, more encumbered source for No_Ax to whine about!  B.O.F.H. | 10/19/05
Probably not  NonZealot | 10/19/05
That's interesting..  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
That's the point  rapson | 10/19/05
It is the fact that speech isn't completely free...  Patrick Jones | 10/19/05
That's fine  rapson | 10/19/05
Copyright Law puts restrictions in place, a license alows usage.  B.O.F.H. | 10/19/05
The restritions exist because someone ...  ShadeTree | 10/20/05
To Shadetree  Zinoron | 10/20/05
Clarification  Sabz5150 | 10/19/05
You're missing the point  rapson | 10/19/05
Nicely put Carl...  John Le'Brecage | 10/19/05
I agree  rapson | 10/19/05
One thing Carl  Jeff Spicoli | 10/19/05
All source code licenses deal with Copyrights.  B.O.F.H. | 10/19/05
Of course not!  Sabz5150 | 10/19/05
WOW- never thought I'd see the day!  CobraA1 | 10/19/05
Oh no, comparisons to Mozilla even in the slightest  Boot_Agnostic | 10/20/05
MS-PL  wolf_z | 10/20/05

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