Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 23:58:00 -0700 From: Brett Glass <brett@lariat.org> To: Terry Lambert <tlambert2@mindspring.com> Cc: Craig Harding <crh@outpost.co.nz>, chat@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: GPL nonsense: time to stop Message-ID: <4.3.2.7.2.20011218180158.00d6fc50@localhost> In-Reply-To: <3C1FA272.D9679E44@mindspring.com> References: <20011218121011.E21649@monorchid.lemis.com> <4hzo4hyv3c.o4h@localhost.localdomain> <4.3.2.7.2.20011217221801.02841bc0@localhost> <4.3.2.7.2.20011218102351.02841f00@localhost> <4.3.2.7.2.20011218124204.02812700@localhost>
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At 01:09 PM 12/18/2001, Terry Lambert wrote: >They aren't integral, if they aren't in the boot or installation >path, since they are not required to get a minimally functional >system. They are still integrated even if the system can boot without them. See the Microsoft case. >This is a problem for the distributors of already binary code that >is GPL'ed rather than LGPL'ed. As it is, FreeBSD does not distribute >with binary code created this way, since to do so would potentially >cause legal problems. It is up to the user's discretion whether or >not they choose to create a kerne with static or dynamic GPL'ed >modules. True. But the GENERIC kernel comes with this module dynamically linked and ready to bring in. And the average user cannot easily remove it. >By this argument, installation of GPL'ed code, which is linked against >system libraries, and uses kernel services on non-GPL'ed OSs is at >risk. I don't believe this. It is a risk. Not long ago, a company wanted to use a GPLed CODEC for audio. So, they took a GPLed CODEC, made it into a library (a DLL for Windows for which it released source), and then linked to it completely dynamically at runtime. The FSF immediately threatened to sue and forced the company -- which was small and could not fight the FSF with its huge war chest -- to back down. The incident was documented on Slashdot. --Brett Glass To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-chat" in the body of the message
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