On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:17:31 +1000 Ben Finney wrote: > Francesco Poli <frx@firenze.linux.it> writes: > > > The key difference is that the GPL does not in any way restrict the > > *use* of a *modified* or *unmodified* work. The AfferoGPL restricts > > the *use* of a *modified* work. > > I find it best to avoid making such statements about the term "use", > since it has famously been the core of many misunderstandings. For > example, many who would call the GPL non-free say that their "right to > use the work in a proprietary derivative work" is restricted. (I don't > agree, but the discussion can only proceed by disambiguating different > meanings of "use".) > > Instead, "use" should be avoided, and more specific actions should be > discussed, such as "run the program". I agree that the term "use" may be misleading in some contexts, but, on the other hand, "run" can only apply to executable/interpretable programs, while software (another term that often generates misunderstandings!) also consists of works other than programs (documents, images, audio/video, ...). That's why I often say "use a work" (which may mean, on a case by case basis, "run a program", "listen to an audio track", "read a document", "view an image", ...). However, you are right that, in the present case, where we are clearly discussing about (networked) applications, saying "run the program" generates way less ambiguities. -- http://frx.netsons.org/doc/index.html#nanodocs The nano-document series is here! ..................................................... Francesco Poli . GnuPG key fpr == C979 F34B 27CE 5CD8 DC12 31B5 78F4 279B DD6D FCF4
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