Build Scripts and GPL

[Robert Schwebel]

On Fri, May 19, 2006 at 01:46:05PM +0200, Peter Roozemaal wrote:
> Does Xyz provide source packages for the software on the live-CD?

Not on the CD and not on their website. 

> When you get a lawyer involved, you're very likely to end up with a
> bill that's much larger than $299. If you buy a (single) CD, that will
> provide you with the essential proof that Xyz distributes a PTXdist
> derivative work, you are able to examine Xyz's modifications and
> consider them for inclusion into PTX. (You might need a lawyer to
> examine whether the Xyz license is GPL compatible.)

Well, the source itself isn't the problem. I'd like to find out if
companies are allowed to do what they do, and if it is a GPL violation
or not. In the end I have no problem with companies using our code for
doing customer projects; that's why we have released it under the GPL.
But it would really be interesting to learn if build script are part of
the license or not; in the end we could have released them under a
public domain license if not. 

> A direct attack on the live CD distribution is doomed to fail if you
> don't own copyrights on any of the distributed code.
> 
> Greetings,
> 	Peter.
> 
> P.S. Don't forget that fighting a lawsuit is time-consuming...

Sure, and it's the last thing I'm looking forward to. But I think it is
not a good idea to not enforce the GPL if it can be done in a sane way. 

Robert
-- 
 Dipl.-Ing. Robert Schwebel | http://www.pengutronix.de
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