Re: Economics and the GPL

On Tue, 18 Jun 2002, Roger Fujii wrote:

> > *For example, see http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/eldred-amicus.html,
> > http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/copyright-and-globalization.html
> 
> It's unclear that they *truely* would support such a move, as a relatively
> short copyright would undermine the GPL (since they would be affect by this
> too), releasing more code into public domain.  Given that they argue against
> X11, it's not like they are consistant in their argument.  You can't be FOR
> putting more stuff into PD and argue against putting stuff into PD.  

That's like saying that a willing polluter can't be for pollution controls, 
or that once can't oppose software patents yet register them.

It's certainly possible to be in favor of across-the-board restrictions, as 
long as they make for a level playing field, but refuse to unilaterally be 
subject to such restrictions.  Since unilateral action is likely to provide 
a competitive advantage to the less scrupulous, people may not always feel 
free to indulge their preferences.  They might nevertheless support having 
those preferences imposed on themselves (AND their competitors) as long as 
it impacts everyone equally.

There's nothing inherently inconsistent about that.  (Now, whether or not 
the FSF would actually prefer shorter copyrights, that's another question.)

Deven