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Subject: Re: Writing plug-ins

Re: Writing plug-ins

From: BlueChip <cs_bluechip_at_webtribe.net>
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 18:56:54 +0000

[snip,snip,snip]
>>I fail to see how "PD" can be "GPL compatable", as it (relevantly) does
>>not require the code to move, which is the core restraint on GPL that
>>offends _my_ moral stance of "freedom for all."
>
>I don't follow your statement "does not require the code to move". I
>recognize it as English, but my mind doesn't parse it. What code is
>moving where?

Yes, badly worded, sorry. PD does not _require_ that the source code is
passed along with the binary ...this _is_ a requirement of GPL.

>Public Domain
> Being in the public domain is not a license--rather, it means the
> material is not copyrighted and no license is needed. Practically
> speaking, though, if a work is in the public domain, it might as well
> have an all-permissive non-copyleft free software license. Public domain
> status is compatible with the GNU GPL.

"Public domain status is compatible with the GNU GPL."
...Now that is new news which usefully contradicts what I was previously told.

>One final question (I'm using personal pronouns for convenience, this
>isn't meant to be a personal attack):

(thanks, understood - I shall answer in the same vain)

>why is _my_ choice of GPL offending _your_ moral sense? I'm not imposing
>the GPL on _your_ code,

When I (specifically for a brief moment) released my rockbox plugins
'privately', I was told (here) that _my_ code was obliged to be GPL also -
thus _my_ code became infected with copy-left and could no longer be used
in closed source apps.

>you can chose to release _your_ code licensed in any GPL-compatible
>license you wish, including PD

This is where it all changes - I am now no longer forced to GPL my code
just because it "dynamically links" to other GPL code. And my appreciation
of GPL is restored, not for me, but as a right for those who wish it.

>Please don't impose your licensing morals on _my_ code thankyouverymuch.

I am happy that GPL code which I obtain for free and 'tweak' to my own ends
remains GPL, with or without my 'tweaks' - But if I write an entire,
mutable, subsection of the code (such as a game engine) I now believe I can
release THAT portion PD.

It is the moral imposition that offends me - be assured I would never use
GPL code in a closed source app - because, as you rightly point out, that
would be _me_ imposing _my_ morals on _you_.

I really hope what you say about me being allowed to PD my code is true - I
shall take a look when I am free to do so. Cheers,

BC

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Received on 2005-01-12

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