🚀 go-pugleaf

burley@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Craig Burley) writes:
> In article <Pi1eFB7w164w@mantis.co.uk> mathew@mantis.co.uk (Lieutenant 030) w
> 
>    OK.  Suppose I am a user.  Suppose I have just obtained a copy of GNU Emac
>    What rights does the GPL give me over and above those I would have if GNU
>    Emacs were public domain?
> 
> The rights to the source code, for a nominal fee, and to share that source
> code with others.

I would have those rights if it were PD.  Elvis is PD; I have the source
code, I got it at no cost, and I can share it with other people.

> to support.  You can't obtain a copy of GNU Emacs for the Mac (if such a thin
> exists) without also ending up with the rights to obtain the source code
> for that _exact port_ (not just "original EMACS, but we threw in a lot of
> special Mac code to make it work, and we don't want you to see that stuff").

False.  The extra code could be put into a library.  People could then sell
that library, and also distribute a modified version of GNU Emacs which
calls the commercial library in order to gain access to Mac toolbox functions.

> Therefore, when you get GNU EMACS vs., say, a PD EMACS, you have the followin
> additional rights (and you already know about all the "subtractional" rights)
> 
>     -  You get the source, or at least access to it for a nominal fee for
>        up to three years
> 
>     -  You can share the executables and/or source with others (i.e.
>        redistribute)
> 
>     -  You can modify the source and build derivative versions
> 
>     -  As long as you give these rights to others, you can distribute (for
>        profit or for free) the modifications and/or derivative versions to
>        others

I can do all those with PD Emacs.

> By the way, I see no reason why someone can't ship "highly proprietary"
> (i.e. licensed) source and/or objects separate from GPL-protected source,
> but intended for use when linked in with such code.

So you agree with my "Emacs for the Mac" example above?


mathew

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