[MUD-Dev] code base inquiry

[Matthew D. Fuller]

On Wed, Nov 17, 1999 at 06:01:30PM -0500, a little birdie told me
that Travis Casey remarked
> 
> Now, let's say that I write a codebase and distribute it under the
> GPL.  You then modify my codebase and start distributing your modified
> version.  I then decide to stop using the GPL and make my codebase
> commercial.  I still own copyright on the code you're using -- and
> hence, can legally revoke your right to distribute it.  Now, you
> *might* be able to still distribute the code you wrote, but you
> can't distribute any part of the codebase that you didn't modify.  And
> even if you modified all of it, it might still count as a derivative
> work, in which case you wouldn't be able to distribute it without my
> permission.
> 
> I do have to wonder why Gnu doesn't simply insert language saying that
> users of the code are granted the rights they're granted in
> perpetuity.  The only reason I can think of is that they might be
> afraid that fewer people would distribute their code under the GPL
> if they did that.

Well, from a glance at a copy of COPYING in my system...

  6. Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the
Program), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
original licensor to copy, distribute or modify the Program subject to
these terms and conditions.  You may not impose any further
restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
this License.


I think it *DOES*.




--
Matthew Fuller     (MF4839)     |    fullermd at over-yonder.net
Unix Systems Administrator      |    fullermd at futuresouth.com
Specializing in FreeBSD         |    http://www.over-yonder.net/
       "Klein bottle for sale ... inquire within."



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