Michael Devore <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Simply put, any code which has a restricting license whatsoever is > always less open or free than public domain to everyone for > everyone.
Not really. Let me use an analogy. When driving, you do not have the freedom to run over pedestrians. Does that imply your driver's license is "less open or free" than one which did not have this restriction? Perhaps, but only in the very narrow sense which focusses on your freedom and ignores the big picture. You might think this is a ridiculous example because "obviously" everybody has a natural right to live. But to the authors of the GPL, "obviously" everybody has a natural right to obtain, modify, and share information. From this point of view, the GPL essentially says, "You may do whatever you want with this code as long as you do not infringe on other people's rights." (Analogy: You may drive however you want provided that...) In the big picture, the GPL does not restrict freedom; it preserves it. By *restricting* your freedom, driving laws *enhance* everybody else's. Just like the GPL. Personally, I think you guys should make every effort to use only open source software (as defined by http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php) for everything, including compilers, assemblers, and compressors. Even if that means shipping larger and slower binaries. But either way, remember that only the copyright holder can actually ENFORCE a license. As long as you are confident that none of the FreeDOS copyright holders is going to bother suing, you can do whatever you like regardless of what the license says. If any of the copyright holders objected, you would have to stop, of course... I am not a lawyer, so everything I just said may be completely wrong. - Pat ------------------------------------------------------- SF.Net is sponsored by: Speed Start Your Linux Apps Now. Build and deploy apps & Web services for Linux with a free DVD software kit from IBM. Click Now! http://ads.osdn.com/?ad_id=1356&alloc_id=3438&op=click _______________________________________________ Freedos-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-devel
