From: Sean O'Dell <sean@...>
Date: 2003-07-11T10:47:12+09:00
Subject: Re: My brief and torrid affair with Ruby.

"Daniel Carrera" <dcarrera@math.umd.edu> wrote in message
news:20030711010705.GB1768@math.umd.edu...
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> On Fri, Jul 11, 2003 at 09:46:29AM +0900, Sean O'Dell wrote:
>
> > > I have read your If statement carefully.
> > >
> > > Your statement is (given the assumption that you don't want to break
the
> > > GPL and that you release the code so that the GPL applies).
> > >
> > >   if (GPL code comes in contact with yours)
> > >         Your code becomes GPL.
> > >   end
> > >
> > > I am saying that this is incorrect.  Copyright law does not have the
power
> > > to do this.  A more correct statement would be:
> > >
> > >   if (GPL code comes in contact with yours)
> > >        You have two choices:
> > >            a)  GPL your code.
> > >            b)  Remove the code in question.
> > >   end
> >
> > This is actually not true, either.  Neither of the two if's are true.
> >
> > You are free to include GPL code into your application and use your
> > application privately or internally to your company and your application
> > does not have to be branded under the GPL license.  It's only if you
RELEASE
> > ...
>
> You have misread my post.  This is a simple matter and I hope we can
> resolve this quickly.
>
> Notice that my post contains the text:
>
> > > Your statement is (given the assumption that you don't want to break
the
> > > GPL and that you release the code so that the GPL applies).
>
> Notice the content inside the parenthesis.  I have added the constraints
> in order to make my if statements more readable.  But the if statemenst I
> posted are isomorphic to the ones you posted.
>
>
> > A proper if statement would be:
> >
> > if (GPL code comes into contact with yours) then
> >     if (used internally only) or (not released at all) then
> >         return (fine)
> >     elsif (released publicly)
> >         if (GPL code removed) then
> >             return (fine)
> >         else
> >             return (application must be GPL'd) | (full source must be
> > provided)
> >         end
> >     end
> > end
>
> Yes, this is exactly the if statement I have been arguing.  You and I are
> in agreement as to what the GPL says.  Now the point I am making is that
> the following branch:
>
> >         if (GPL code removed) then
> >             return (fine)
> >         else
>
> Is of great significance.

It's moderately significant.  In the context of the "viral" nature of the
GPL, it's the equivalent of wearing a plastic bubble suit.  You can choose
to protect yourself from it, sure.  But you can also choose to protect
yourself from the flu.  Having this choice doesn't determine whether or not
the GPL is viral, just like wearing a plastic bubble suit doesn't make the
flu non-viral; it is viral nonetheless, you are simply choosing to not
become infected.

    Sean O'Dell