[Date Prev][Date Next] [Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: Open Software License v2.1



On Mon, Sep 20, 2004 at 06:37:43PM -0400, Glenn Maynard wrote:
> On Mon, Sep 20, 2004 at 01:07:33PM +0100, Andrew Suffield wrote:
> > On Sun, Sep 19, 2004 at 05:36:12PM -0400, Glenn Maynard wrote:
> > > On Sun, Sep 19, 2004 at 03:00:53PM +0100, Andrew Suffield wrote:
> > > > I am not sure why some people think the latter is acceptable, since it
> > > > is similar in spirit and effect to the MS EULA (which says that you
> > > > can't do anything the copyright holder doesn't like).
> > > 
> > > If so, then the GPL is, too--the copyright holder "doesn't like" you
> > > distributing binaries without source.  Stop making ludicrous comparisons.
> > 
> > No, that's entirely different. The MS EULA allows them to crush
> > anything that they don't like. The GPL does no such thing.
> 
> Nor does "don't enforce patents against this software", so I'm not sure
> what you're arguing here.

It does.

> > > > Free software licenses give things to the licensee. Not the copyright
> > > > holder.
> > > 
> > >    ... commence an action, including a cross-claim or counterclaim,
> > >    against Licensor or any licensee alleging that the Original Work
> > >    infringes a patent.
> > > 
> > > Please not "or any licensee".  This clause is not giving the licensee
> > > special treatment.
> > 
> > Right, it's giving the copyright holder special treatment. That's my point.
> 
> Thinko due to neighboring words; s/licensee/licensor/.  (I suppose I
> should just use "copyright holder" and "user".)  It's not giving the
> copyright holder special treatment at all; it very explicitly and
> deliberately treats the copyright holder and users equally.

You've been tricked by lawyers. This clause says that only the
copyright holder may file patent lawsuits.

-- 
  .''`.  ** Debian GNU/Linux ** | Andrew Suffield
 : :' :  http://www.debian.org/ |
 `. `'                          |
   `-             -><-          |

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: Digital signature


Reply to: