Re: Economics and the GPL

On Fri, 7 Jun 2002, Anthony Taylor wrote:

> If *I* write some source code, do I or do I not get to determine how my 
> source code is used?  If I decide I do not want it to be used in 
> commercial software, isn't that my choice?  If I choose to put 
> restrictions on the use of my source code, is it not my right?

What if you want to extend GPL software, and release the source, but you 
don't want it to be used commercially?  The GPL doesn't allow you to 
license your code for noncommercial use only.  As long as the commercial 
interest provides source, the GPL is satisfied.

> If you wish the right to determine how *your* source code is to be used, 
> I feel it is your responsiblity to allow others the same right.  If they 
> decide they do not want their code in a product of which the source code 
> is unavailable, it should their right.

I feel each author should have that right for their code.  The GPL seeks
to take the choice away from the authors by saying "use the GPL or else".  
(The "or else" expands to "or else you can't use this enormous base of 
existing GPL code to build on top of".)

Deven