Re: software licensing
On Tue, 1 Sep 1998, Derek B. Noonburg wrote:
> "Stephen J. Carpenter" <sjc@delphi.com>:
>
> > I will agree...if the modifications they make are worthwile to others, or
> > important bug fixes, it is certainly bad form, even sometimes
> > downright rude to not let people know and hav ethe source but...
> > if they don't distribute it outside of their own company...I can't
> > see how they are "Wrong" to do it.
>
> My fundamental belief is this: If I create a piece of software, I have
> the right to determine who can distribute it (and modified versions of
> it),
No, any license which has a restriction on who can distribute (or use) the
program is not DFSG compliant, according to sections 5 and 6 of the DFSG.
> and under what conditions they can distribute it.
Yes, you can do this.
> If someone
> violates my conditions, that's wrong.
Yes.
> If you don't like my conditions,
> you obviously have the right to not distribute my software.
Of course.
> On the other hand, I believe there are some conditions which are a Bad
> Idea -- ranging from silly to annoying to just plain dumb.
Could you name some?
> But I still
> think that software authors have the right to place these kind of
> conditions on their software if they want to.
Sure. But the risk you take is that your software may not be distributed
at all.
Remco
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