[Fwd: Re: Charging ($20) for GPL source?]

[Arnoud Engelfriet]

Matthew Flaschen wrote:
> 1) the same way like the bins (if its on a device, a folder called
> src should be included, if bins can be downloaded, the same channel
> must be used for sources)

In the context of embedded devices (which we were talking about here)
it's not possible to "include a src/ folder". You really have to
provide a separate medium with the source.

> 2) for the same cost like the bins (why does people profit from
> distributing the bins freely and then claim the source distribution
> does cost money? Source dist is less expensive, cause not much people
> does download it. And if its expensive to have a downloadserver, the
> bins cost anyway. So would be acceptable if i would buy the download
> for 20$ (including source) and then i can offer it at my download
> server, if necessary)

In embedded devices the binaries come with the hardware, so there
is no extra charge for making that available. The price of the
storage medium is already discounted in the product price. If 
the vendor has to add a separate medium with source code, the
product price goes up.

(Note that offering source for download when distributing embedded
binaries is not allowed by the GPL; you have to include a written
offer or the source itself _with the product_)

> Btw. i would not pay $1, even if i am interested. Is it open source
> or not? In the moment i pay for the sources so i think its better
> called "paid source".

It's open source because of the rights the recipient gets when
he obtains the source. It's not open source because you get it
for free. 

Arnoud

-- 
Arnoud Engelfriet, Dutch & European patent attorney - Speaking only for myself
Patents, copyright and IPR explained for techies: http://www.iusmentis.com/