Subj : Re: GNU Public Licences Revisited (again)
To   : comp.programming
From : Rob Thorpe
Date : Tue Aug 23 2005 11:34 am

Tatu Portin wrote:
> Joe Butler wrote:
> > So, what's the reasoning behind these licences that don't allow a commercial
> > (closed source) apps from using them?
> >
> > In once sense, if the idea behind the GPL, etc. is to benefit others, this
> > is a limitation that will reduce the number of people that can actually
> > benefit from it.  A closed source app is not going to open its source just
> > so it can use some GPL.  If the source was allowed to be used by all,
> > without the restrictions on commercial apps, that would benefit a lot more
> > people, wouldn't it?
>
> You can sell GPL'd apps.

That is correct, you can provide a service charging for distribution,
building binary executables etc.  But, you must also provide the source
freely by anonymous ftp.

> You just must provide the source code also.

Yes.

> But
> you aren't required to give the source to somebody that is not your
> customer.

Incorrect.  If you do not distribute your app you are not bound to give
the source code to anyone.  If you distribute your app you are bound to
freely provide the source code.

> Then, it's up to your customer to decide, whetever or not he
> shares his app & source with others.

No.  Once code is GPLed by someone other than yourself it cannot
legally be unGPLed.

If it was written by a single person or organisation then they may
change the terms of distribution, but even they cannot change them
retrospectively to apply to versions already distributed.

Read the GPL faq on www.gnu.org

.