Microsoft airs tools' source code online

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restarting thread counter - derivative vs. value-added

John L. said:

Both the GPL and CPL will claim Ardian's hypothetical library as deravitive works. In the CPL the language is somewhat more hidden, but it is plainly there.

In the case of Adaka's example I would definitely agree. But he is also constructing the example to try to show that GPL is viral in that it prohibits developers from building technology which they control. My point is that GPL does not infect anything within 20 feet like the MS party line likes to promote.

In his case of using 5% of the functionality of a package it would be possible to package the 95% as a seperate program which does not include the original code and is therefore not a derivative. Simply using the original code, say through a remote interface or through a dedicated server of some sort would definitely allow the developers to keep their code separated from the GPL stuff. Only in the most extreme of examples would the overhead of a middleware layer prohibit decoupling. For instance, assume it was printing functionality - this could easily be decoupled from the non-GPL code!

I maintain that the reason MS chose CPL is is Adaka points out they are free to pull the works of others in without needing to disclose and attribute it. With GPL this would be impossible as the source would need to be distributed and any funny games would be detected. In any case, this is certainly a step in the right direction!

MS's fud has been GPL prevents programmers from being able to make a living. In reality, all it does is force folks who use it to attribute it and contribute the enhancements back if they distribute the code vs. keep it in house. Users are protected because if the supplier drops the product or goes belly up the user has the code and can maintain it themselves if need be. The profit moves out of control over the source into delivery of services.

Posted by: oldskool   Posted on: 04/06/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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