RE: The GPL might be problematic for developers in Germany

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http://forums.oscommerce.com/viewtopic.php?p=192834#192834
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[quote="weirdlab"]In the GPL, there is a line that says that there is no warranty that the software would do anything usefull,etc .[/quote]

I guess you mean this part from the GPL:

[quote="GPL"]  11. BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS LICENSED FREE OF CHARGE, THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.  (...) [/quote]


[quote="weirdlab"] ... but other developers releasing their software under the GPL could just say to people who have downloaded their software that there is no warranty and that they won't take the time to fix it, etc. ...[/quote]

Whenever you "sell" free software, it is your freedom to offer a warranty or not. If you do not want to offer a warranty, you are not forced to do so - at least not by the GPL.

[quote="weirdlab"]That is where devs could be taken to court if I understood some of what that guy said (through translations).[/quote]

Well - under european laws (and under german laws) it is hard to sell something without any warranty. Please note: This is only talking about selling software. If it is given away for free, things are different.

Exactly for this reason the GPL says: THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE PROGRAM, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Did you see it: "To the extent permitted by applicable law". Now it all depends on what the german law allows or does not allwo - I guess we can agree on that.

So you need to aks a german lawyer avbout the consequences. IANAL and will therefore not make a statement. In Germany it is forbidden by law to give legal advice if you are not a lawyer ...

HTH

Jan Wildeboer