fun with GPL

[Tyler Aviss]

What got my attention was this further comment by Gary:
  Interesting end-run around the EULA. We'll have to make it a
condition of downloading the software.

I'd have to say that yes, he doesn't understand the GPL. Plenty of
companies are happy to "be coming with the code" for weeks, months, or
even years, so an article on slashdot is usually a good way to bring
it to their attention that people are watching, and waiting. It looks
like a neat tool, so hopefully they fix the GPL issues by releasing
the source, dumping the conflicting license/EULA terms, and end up
with a better product (and hopefully a Linux version) in the future.

On 9/6/07, Scott Elcomb <psema4-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> On 9/5/07, D. Hugh Redelmeier <hugh-pmF8o41NoarQT0dZR+AlfA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> > In /., the rep responded to my Forum posting.  My favourite bit:
> >
> >     I am struck that one of the people giving me the most grief about
> >     the GPL code doesn't even own our product. Apparently he learned
> >     what he knows by downloading the software, inspecting the
> >     binaries, and since he didn't actually ever install the software,
> >     he didn't have to view/accept the EULA or feel bound by its terms.
> >     Interesting. Is there an official slashdot stance on that?
> >
> > [He is refering to me as giving him grief.]
> >
> > An official /. stance?  What a concept.
>
> Yeah, I just read that too; been paying attention to "the story" on
> and off throughout the day.  I was tempted to reply to his comment in
> your defense, but decided I'll continue to wait it out a bit.  (The
> story hasn't surfaced from the Firehose yet, and I'm not really sure
> how to articulate my thoughts...  Maybe tomorrow.)
>
> > Not being allowed to "reverse engineer, disassemble or decompile" GPLed
> > software seems wrong.
>
> Indeed, this was the part that made me think /. would be the place to
> bring it out in the open.  That said, they appear to at least be
> starting work towards compliance - who knows how big the company is or
> how much "priority" it'll be assigned.
>
> Two things that really got my attention though, was the regular
> references to Microsoft on their website - and how often links to
> pages within the site break.  I ran into the broken links a couple
> times but won't draw the problems out.  Maybe I'll send a note along
> in an effort to "improve FOSS community relations."  For now though
> I'm just in wait-and-see mode.
>
> --
>   Scott Elcomb
>   http://www.psema4.com/
> --
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