Re: GPL and NDAs

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Article #23087

#23087

From: Isaac
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 00:00

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On Mon, 31 Jan 2000 07:05:49 -0800, Jeffrey B. Siegal <jbs@quiotix.com> wrote:
>3. In this context it doesn't matter whether anybody actually does this
>currently.  One of two things must be true:
>   a) Transfer of ownership is not essential to "distribution" under GPL, or
>   b) GPL can be circumvented with valid (i.e. non-shrinkwrap) licenses,
>because no transfer of 
>      ownership occurs.
Perhaps what you say is true, but even if we accept option a, it doesn't 
follow that installing software on company computers is distribution in
the sense the GPL uses.

Running a binary doesn't give any rights or imply any responsibilities
as the GPL explicitly places them outside its scope.  Thus it is at least
possible to run or allow the running of the binary without being due or
owing source.  The question is whether or not placing binaries on company
computers and allowing the employee to then run does or does not
have consequences under the GPL.   Have you expressed an opinion one way
or another on this question?

Ownership may not be essential, but certainly when ownership changes
there can be no question that distribution has taken place.   When
a change of ownership does not take place, then further analysis is
required.

Isaac

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<y4902dyklq.fsf@mailhost.neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de> <84ga7c$mih$1@nntp3.atl.mindspring.net> <1999Dec30.151712.1@eisner> <386BD144.22362F3A@gmx.de> <o5wvpubn8g.fsf@tofu.to.cygnus.com> <386E890B.1B191CB@gmx.de> <o5iu1bnlr9.fsf@toenail.to.cygnus.com> <3871419C.7D23AE72@gmx.de> <38805954.BC45E825@quiotix.com> <qhu2kefjv0.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <38819C4C.BD383DFD@quiotix.com> <qh7lha9fms.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <38839E3D.22DE182E@gmx.de> <qhwvp8paaw.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <388F8A3B.19C57187@home.com> <86pjhm$crf$1@justus.ecc.lu> <m2k8kryeac.fsf@barnowl.demon.co.uk> <871va3$dm3$1@pyrite.mv.net> <3894AE0F.7DD7547C@quiotix.com> <3894EB2B.EC6F5A45@home.com> <389540A7.6012E51F@quiotix.com> <slrn89b8nb.4u.isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> <3895A4CD.F8E08937@quiotix.com>

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From: isaac@latveria.castledoom.org (Isaac)
Subject: Re: GPL and NDAs
Date: 2000/01/31
Message-ID: <slrn89c420.62.isaac@latveria.castledoom.org>
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References: <y4902dyklq.fsf@mailhost.neuroinformatik.ruhr-uni-bochum.de> <84ga7c$mih$1@nntp3.atl.mindspring.net> <1999Dec30.151712.1@eisner> <386BD144.22362F3A@gmx.de> <o5wvpubn8g.fsf@tofu.to.cygnus.com> <386E890B.1B191CB@gmx.de> <o5iu1bnlr9.fsf@toenail.to.cygnus.com> <3871419C.7D23AE72@gmx.de> <38805954.BC45E825@quiotix.com> <qhu2kefjv0.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <38819C4C.BD383DFD@quiotix.com> <qh7lha9fms.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <38839E3D.22DE182E@gmx.de> <qhwvp8paaw.fsf@ruckus.brouhaha.com> <388F8A3B.19C57187@home.com> <86pjhm$crf$1@justus.ecc.lu> <m2k8kryeac.fsf@barnowl.demon.co.uk> <871va3$dm3$1@pyrite.mv.net> <3894AE0F.7DD7547C@quiotix.com> <3894EB2B.EC6F5A45@home.com> <389540A7.6012E51F@quiotix.com> <slrn89b8nb.4u.isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> <3895A4CD.F8E08937@quiotix.com>
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