----- Original Message ----- From: "Manish Jethani" cruisecoder@yahoo.com
I don't get the link, really. The GPL doesn't say anywhere that having to pay for software is "not so good". All it says is that the user shouldn't be charged anything extra for the source code to the software being sold. And BTW, I just _paid_ for my 2-CD RedHat 6.2 from FreeOS, on Thursday.
So you can sell "binary-only" software, and you can give the source code if the user asks. Most users won't even bother to ask for the source, because few people have the time to fix bugs for you.
So I take it one is allowed to use GPLed software to create derivative works, release that source under GPL as well, and at the same time allowed to sell compiled binaries on CD? Stupid I know, but is this allowed within the GPL?
Yes, I know that GNU/Linux distributors sell their wares, but until now I assumed the money was being charged for the printed manuals and whatever non-GPL additions they made to it. It might be interesting to check out the licenses on the non-GPLed elements of some distributions.
--- Tushar Burman GNU/Linux/*BSD evangelist, friend to animals. tb@freeos.com icq: 112803958 y!: tusharburman msn: tusharburman aolim: tusharburman ---