[MUD-Dev] Diku & GPL

[Vincent Archer]

According to Patrick Dughi:
[license discussion shortened]
> Go GPL
> ------

There's also a caveat you fail to mention, and one we explored much (Richard
Stallman came here at Nevrax, and we had a discussion on the implications
of the GPL on a MUD model).

As you have underlined:

> distribtion and modification processes.  When it comes down to it, you can
> even charge for distribtion - of course, the source code and GPL license
> allowing you to do with the source code nearly whatever you want (even
> reselling it) is part of the distribtion.

The trick is: if I run a GPL-licensed MUD, I am under no obligation to
provide you with my source code.

Why?

Because the GPL license is written as thus: If I provide you with any
program (regardless of the amount charged, and you may require $1,000 for
the program if you want), I must also provide you with the source code
upon request for no more than physical support cost and shipping charges.

Here's where the GPL fails in the mud model: I am not providing you with
the MUD server program. You only connect to it, you do not run it, and do
not own it. I am thus under no obligation to give you the source, since
you do not have the program itself.

Here, at Nevrax, we do intend to provide our server code, and under the
GPL. However, we are aware of the fact that, for the SERVER code itself,
it will be almost impossible to enforce the provision of the GPL that
allows us to peek back at userbase modifications. That's why as much as
possible of the server code is in fact a generic library which is used
in the server AND client - so that you need to at least redistribute
the library parts, since you will distribute the client which uses it.

--
Vincent Archer                                         Email: archer at nevrax.com

Nevrax France.                              Off on the yellow brick road we go!
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