🚀 go-pugleaf

We all know that freedom can be misused. The GPL goes to great length to
make such misuse difficult. However I can see at least two scenarios
of misuse. (Please note that I definitely don't expect the FSF to misuse
the GPL. I order to emphasize this I will be the culprit in the following).


1) The GPL will apply to the output of the program, if the output is a work
   based on the program. Determining this is left to the users (or future
   court, if it comes to that).

misuse 1) I write a program, the output of which is a work based on the program,
          but make sure this fact isn't obvious. After some time, I start claiming
          source code from users. (could be interesting if it is an encryption
          package :-).

misuse 2) I convince a judge that the output of gcc is derived from the tables in it,
          and again start claiming sources.

Possible remedy. The authors of the programs could add additional terms such as
(Just examples, suitable real wordings should be checked by legal expertize).

"The output of this program can contain significant parts of it, and will
thus be a work based on it"

"The output of this compiler, when used for it's normal purpose (compiling
C code into assembler) shall not be regarded as derived from it under the
terms of the GPL."

"The .el-file when used will insert text into the document edited. The author
disclaims copyright of the text thus inserted, implying that the document edited
will not for this reason be covered by the GPL."

2) As far as I can tell, the author is not bound by the terms of the GPL

misuse) I write a program that everybody needs, and license it under the GPL,
        killing of any competition. However, version 2 of the program is
        sold for big $$$, with no source available.







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Jan Norden, Ericsson Telecom AB       | E-mail: etxjnor@solsta.ericsson.se
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