GNU License and Computer Break Ins
At http://www.gnu.org/manual/ddd/html_mono/ddd.html , the DDD license
states as follows:
The easiest way to get a copy of DDD is from someone else who
has it. You need not ask for permission to do so, or tell any
one else; just copy it.
So, I have DDD on my system. Apparently anyone on the internet who
has access to my computer can get a copy of it without asking me.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
But what about people who aren't authorized to use my computer?
Apparently, by using DDD, I agree to let all people get copies of DDD
without asking me first.
Let's say someone breaks into my home computer for the express purpose
of getting a copy of DDD from me.
Are they wrong for taking it? Are they even wrong for the break-in?
Before answering the next question consider the following quote also
from the GNU license of DDD:
What is not allowed is to try to prevent others from further
sharing any version of DDD that they might get from you.
Because I specifically prevent access to my computer, I have obviously
also "prevent[ed] others from further sharing any version of DDD that
they might get from [me]." Am I wrong for purposefully putting barriers
that prevent them from making a copy? If I'm not, then what other
barriers my I purposefully erect?
Paul Serice
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