On Sun, 2003-04-13 at 22:22, James Ogley wrote:
Fourth, SuSE has provided their own applications within the distribution. These also are considered GPL. Anything that is applied to GPL software must also be held under that same licensing. So, in essence; if i have a program and need some changes made. I can code the functionality that i need, apply it to the original and will then be required to provide that "new" application under the GPL.
You will notice that there is a BIG stink about these clauses within the corporate environment. They love the fact that they can utilize GPL software wihtout any licensing restrictions.........however, if they need to do some proprietary alterations....they must then provide their proprietary code under the same license. Hence, they have been slow to jump on the GPL and Open Source bandwagon.
In addition to James' comments I can add that this simply isn't true. This was true of the first edition of Apple's Mac OS X license, but that was never accepted by the OSI. You can code whatever changes you want to GPL code and you are free to keep it secret for all eternity. It's only if you decide to distribute those changes to the rest of the world that you're forced by the GPL to provide source with your changes licensed under the GPL. If you only want your changes for personal use, you don't have to distribute them.
I believe in giving back to the community. That is why i started my website; as well as provided numerous pieces of my own software to the public via the GPL. So i understand the confusion here. I am an avid SuSE user...i've bought every version since 7.0....(off the shelf by the way).
But, users selling the distributions on Ebay are not wrong. They are fully within their rights to sell their work in providing that software. When you buy a CD/DVD set from Ebay...you are not paying for the kernel...or it's secondary applications. You are paying for that persons time and work in providing that CD or DVD to you. You pay them to burn it for you....and take the time to mail it to you. That's it! If they state they are selling you the software itself...WRONG! They then are in breach of the GPL license.
And this is wrong too. It's perfectly legal to sell GPL software. Please read Richard Stallman's FAQ on the GPL. It explains this point in great detail. Aside from this, I say "ditto" to James' comments