Re: Wasting our Freedom

[Sean <seanlkml@sympatico.ca>]

On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:15:31 -0400
Jason Dixon <jason@dixongroup.net> wrote:

> Sure it does.  My code under BSD license continues to remain free,  
> regardless of what Company X(1) does with their *copy* of my code.     
> The only restrictions on my code is that copyright and attribution  
> must remain intact.  All users of my code have the same rights,  
> regardless of what Company X does with their *copy*.
> 
> The GPL places additional restrictions on code.  It is therefore less  
> free than the BSD.
> 
> Free code + restrictions = non-free code.
> 
> (1) GPL advocates deep-down really like the BSD license.   
> Unfortunately, they keep getting hung up on the idea of the Evil  
> Corporation (TM) "stealing" my code.  Nobody has stolen anything.   
> That corporation is entitled to the same rights as Joe User.  Neither  
> EC or JU are required to redistribute any of their changes to their  
> *copy* of my code.  They are only required to keep attribution  
> intact.  Does that make MY CODE any less free?  OF COURSE NOT!
 

Your post is incredibly ironic considering how up in arms all the
BSD folks are right now.  Many of them claiming that their code
is being "stolen".

Instead of worrying about Evil Corporation "stealing" their code,
they're worrying about Evil GPL folks "stealing".   Why don't you
take a moment to email them with a reminder that whatever GPL group X
does with their *copy*, all users of the code have the same rights.
If they really believe in the BSD license they will then calm down
and we can all go back to work.

Regards,
S.