*BSD News Article 3771


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Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd
Path: sserve!manuel!munnari.oz.au!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!darwin.sura.net!uvaarpa!cv3.cv.nrao.edu!laphroaig!cflatter
From: cflatter@nrao.edu (Chris Flatters)
Subject: Re: Restrictions on 'free' UNIX / 386BSD (R
Message-ID: <1992Aug17.191129.19698@nrao.edu>
Sender: news@nrao.edu
Reply-To: cflatter@nrao.edu
Organization: NRAO
References: <1992Aug17.162946.7751@gateway.novell.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 19:11:29 GMT
Lines: 28

In article 7751@gateway.novell.com, terry@ithaca.Eng.Sandy.Novell.COM (Terry Lambert) writes:
>In article <5146@airs.com> ian@airs.com (Ian Lance Taylor) writes:
>>I know this issue gets chased around and around a lot, but, after all,
>>just because the Hurd is covered by the GPL does not mean it can not
>>be sold shrinkwrapped in a store.  The GPL just means that the
>>distributor has to put a piece of paper in the shrinkwrap saying
>>``send $100 for complete source code'' as well as another saying ``you
>>may give this software to your friends.''
>
>I'm a bit confused by this statement -- $100 for GNU Hurd's source code,
>or $100 for ABXZ Computing's modified GNU source code?  Does this require
>that ABXZ Computing run a GNU tape copying site for their users, or can they
>give GNU's address on the card?  Do they *have* to have a card if the software
>is modified?  Do they *have* allow access to their modifications source?  Do
>they have to allow you to give away their software to their friends, or only
>the GNU stuff?

The GPL is very clear on these issues.  If ABXZ modifies any GNU
software then the modified software is a derivative work and falls
under the GPL.  This includes the modifications made by ABXZ.  ABXZ
must make the source (including their modifications) available to third
parties and charge no more than the cost of copying and distribution unless
they include the source with the distributed binaries.  ABXZ must include
a written offer (valid for at least 3 years) to make the source available
with the binaries; referring buyers to the FSF is not sufficient.

	Chris Flatters
	cflatter@nrao.edu