Re: About the GPL

[Ben Pfaff <pfaffben@pilot.msu.edu>]

fog@irfmn.mnegri.it writes:

       It is aceptable to sell a CD with the binary part of a linux
   distribution and simply point the users to the ftp site for the
   sources? I think not, because the point 3b in the license says
   you have to give the sources for a small fee and that's not the
   case here in europe where the telephone calls cost a lot.
   Also the user can have a CD but no a modem, and not distributing
   the sources on the CD you simply deny her her right to access
   the sources.

The GPL says the following:

    If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
    access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
    access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
    distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
    compelled to copy the source along with the object code.

This is the exception that allows source and binaries to be
distributed separately on ftp sites.  However, IMHO, according to the
GPL, you can't distribute binaries on a CD and offer sources only via
ftp.

Other interpretations?