Re: Economics and the GPL

On Mon, 10 Jun 2002 16:52:04 -0400 (EDT), "Deven T. Corzine"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>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.
The Tivo case is interesting. They release changes to the base Linux
kernel. But their proprietary device drivers and file systems stay
hidden... which is where most of the IP is, of course.

Incidently, a recent USENET discussion revealed that the "Series 2"
Tivo is much more resistant to tampering, software wise. Upgrading
hard disks is still possible, but the more extreme hacking such as
setting up a web server (for remote programming) and a servers which
allow sucking off the video files (to a PC for cutting DVDs) has been
made much more difficult... the boot PROM contains protection against
that.

>
>> 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".)
I had the sudden thought that the argument was parallel to the
argument been conservationists (who feel the natural world should be
protected) and the capitalists (who feel it should be exploited). The
"natural world" parallel is the universe of GPL code. 

john alvord