Defender of the GPL

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Could you be more wrong?: The GPL doesn't need to say anything about misappropriated
source code, copyright law already covers that. If someone
misappropriates your code you simply get an injunction which
prevents people from redistributing that misappropriated code.
Again, the GPL doesn't need to say not to distribute that code
since distributing it is already not legal. It's not a gentlemen's
agreement, it's the law.

Next, everyone who has received a copy of the code has not
infringed on the copyright. Copyright infringement occurs only
when you distribute a copy. Anyone receiving a copy who
doesn't redistribute it hasn't infringed anything. Sony is
infringing by distributing the code. The damages they would
owe, however, would be mitigated (if not completely vacated) if
they had no knowledge they were distributing infringing code.
Once they are informed, however, it becomes willfull
infringement. The same would work with any other distributor.
If you get a copy of Red Hat Linux and it contains infringing
code, the chances of you being held liable for copyright
infringment are nearly zero. You received the code in good faith
and stuck to the license you received it under. Once you are
informed that it doesn infringe someone's copyright, however,
any further distribution would be bad.

And, finally, the author's of a work can relicense their code
however they want so the GPL doesn't really effect them at all.
The only ones who don't like the GPL are the people who want to
be able to use the GPL and not give their modifications back.; Posted by: rhavyn Posted on: 01/20/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Wow... that was so good it had to be said twice (nt) Michael Kelly | 01/19/06

Thanks for saying that. DemonX | 01/19/06

Wow... that was so good it had to be said twice barsteward | 01/19/06

What will Linus (the person) do in regard to Linux ? JJ_z | 01/19/06

Linus doesn't make that choice... John Le'Brecage | 01/19/06

Yes Richard Flude | 01/19/06

Relicensing can happen, it'll just take time FamilyManFirst | 01/19/06

Defender of the GPL mpmdbt | 01/19/06

the controversial things he says.. mad-man | 01/20/06

one solution does not fit all. zzz1234567890 | 01/19/06

Very subtle differences Flubnut | 01/19/06

Actually CobraA1 | 01/19/06

I think you're right and he's being somewhat decieving bob2cam | 01/20/06

You have confused the example. Update victim | 01/20/06

No, not at all. bob2cam | 01/22/06

He said it all right here. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06

Indeed CobraA1 | 01/20/06

That's just crazy spamagnet | 01/20/06

If an idea gets patented, then you have two choices quietLee | 01/20/06

Or Update victim | 01/20/06

The question is not *if*, but *should* CobraA1 | 01/20/06

To expand upon what I said CobraA1 | 01/23/06

So I can take anything I want form GPLed code.. No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/20/06

Not everything Michael Kelly | 01/20/06

Every licensing scheme has its drawbacks. osreinstall | 01/20/06

Obviously, you can, but Update victim | 01/20/06

Defender of the GPL and he don't care about other licenses. osreinstall | 01/19/06

What are you talking about? rhavyn | 01/19/06

I guess you didn't read the GPL, any version. osreinstall | 01/19/06

You're still making zero sense rhavyn | 01/20/06

You make no sense at all. osreinstall | 01/20/06

Yes, because you don't understand copyright law rhavyn | 01/20/06

You don't understand Jack. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You don't understand Jack. rhavyn | 01/20/06

It is another license, not God. osreinstall | 01/20/06

You Can't Read Edward Meyers | 01/19/06

I read it, but the final draft should be different. osreinstall | 01/19/06

Could you be more wrong? rhavyn | 01/20/06

You must be in La La land. osreinstall | 01/20/06

You still can't read rhavyn | 01/20/06

You still cannot think. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You still can't read rhavyn | 01/20/06

You are unable to think. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You are unable to think. rhavyn | 01/20/06

You don't see others viewpoint too good. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You don't see others viewpoint too good. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Here is more humor you can mull over, FUDster. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: Here is more humor you can mull over, FUDster. rhavyn | 01/20/06

You deliver FUD in your own way. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You deliver FUD in your own way. rhavyn | 01/20/06

You can. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You can. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Can't debate with someone who will say anything. osreinstall | 01/20/06

Trade Secrecy Only Works Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

We all know how the GPL feels about trade secrets. osreinstall | 01/20/06

No You Can't Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

Licenses have to get along. osreinstall | 01/20/06

To osreinstall rhavyn | 01/20/06

Back to rhavyn osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: Back to rhavyn rhavyn | 01/20/06

SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

Another one back at you rhavyn osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement rhavyn | 01/20/06

RE: Another one back at you rhavyn rhavyn | 01/20/06

re: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement osreinstall | 01/20/06

You will never convince me of you BS osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: re: SCO Is Not Suing IBM For Copyright Infringement rhavyn | 01/20/06

RE: You will never convince me of you BS rhavyn | 01/20/06

What a stupid rebuttal from rhavyn osreinstall | 01/20/06

Patent != Copyright Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

RE: What a stupid rebuttal from rhavyn rhavyn | 01/20/06

re: Patent != Copyright osreinstall | 01/20/06

I posted the most relevant cases Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

You are being deceitful rhavyn. osreinstall | 01/20/06

Not very relevant if you ask me. osreinstall | 01/20/06

You are being deceitful rhavyn. rhavyn | 01/20/06

RE: Not very relevant if you ask me. rhavyn | 01/20/06

You really should tell the truth. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You really should tell the truth. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Can't stay on topic too well. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: Can't stay on topic too well. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Again You Can't Read Edward Meyers | 01/20/06

Whatever osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: Whatever rhavyn | 01/20/06

For Meyers osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: For Meyers rhavyn | 01/20/06

osreinstall, the GPL has been upheld in a court of law already. B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06

RE: re: whatever osreinstall | 01/20/06

It sure has BOFH. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: RE: re: whatever rhavyn | 01/20/06

RE: It sure has BOFH. rhavyn | 01/20/06

I have for now. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: I have for now. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Last paragraph says it all. osreinstall | 01/20/06

Re: For Meyers Edward Meyers | 01/21/06

You sure went thru some trouble to prove a lot that I didn't dispute. osreinstall | 01/21/06

EULAs are contracts Edward Meyers | 01/21/06

Re: EULAs are contracts osreinstall | 01/21/06

Those Aren't The Only Problems At The USPTO Edward Meyers | 01/21/06

Yes, there are drawbacks. osreinstall | 01/22/06

Software Is Different Edward Meyers | 01/22/06

Software can be many things. osreinstall | 01/22/06

osreinstall, time to stop whining about licenses! B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06

Read The Case Law Edward Meyers | 01/22/06

Creative folks do not fear patents. osreinstall | 01/22/06

BOFH quit whining about your precious GPL. osreinstall | 01/22/06

osreinstall, you appear to have a lot of problem! B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06

BOFH you are full of crap as usual osreinstall | 01/22/06

Where to start with you.... B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06

Small Developers Do Fear Patents Edward Meyers | 01/22/06

Put a sock in it. You always twist it around. osreinstall | 01/22/06

Just the reckless opportunists. osreinstall | 01/22/06

I've Posted 4 Cases Edward Meyers | 01/22/06

You posted a lot of stuff. osreinstall | 01/22/06

Mayers, you are wasting too much time with osreinstall! B.O.F.H. | 01/22/06

BOFH, you are a reasoning hack. osreinstall | 01/22/06

The GPL is antagonistic to trade secrets osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: The GPL is antagonistic to trade secrets rhavyn | 01/20/06

It is. GPL folks despise trade secrets. You keep telling us that fact. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: It is. GPL folks despise trade secrets. You keep telling us that fact. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Just more jaber jaber from rhavyn osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: Just more jaber jaber from rhavyn rhavyn | 01/20/06

The thing is, you are not more informed. osreinstall | 01/20/06

I doubt that your opinion matters much. B.O.F.H. | 01/20/06

Fat chance of that happening rhavyn | 01/20/06

You are a fat chance and a liability. osreinstall | 01/20/06

RE: You are a fat chance and a liability. rhavyn | 01/20/06

Another one that needs reading lessons. osreinstall | 01/20/06

I don't have a problem with most of it. osreinstall | 01/20/06

GPL means Freedom wildranger | 01/21/06

Or perhaps Update victim | 01/20/06

I don't see anything about TiVo krehbiel | 01/19/06

I too didn't see anything about TiVo Too Old For IT | 01/20/06

are you blind? lwparrish | 01/20/06

It should be more than the GPL ... Vily Clay | 01/20/06

All Software Should be Free, Period wildranger | 01/21/06

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