Re: [tlug] Yes! Another argument about the GPL! You knew you wanted it....

[Curt Sampson <cjs@example.com>]

On 2009-08-12 08:23 +0100 (Wed), Lars Kotthoff wrote:

> > I derive and distribute a work from yours, I may pay twice: once through
> > taxes to pay you to create the work in the first place, and potentially
> > once again in lost revenue when I have to give away my additional work
> > for free. ("Free" as in "gratis," not freedom.)
> 
> ...opposed to you giving it away for a fee and everybody else (well everybody
> who buys it anyway) paying twice.

I don't understand how they're paying twice. They had your code without
my modifications beforehand, and after paying for my modifications,
they have your code with my modifications. They paid once for the
modifications I did.

> Good point. But it wasn't an academic project. I would argue that when you're
> doing research, you're less likely to have an idea what the impact will be.

Well, isn't that an argument that you *don't* want to use the GPL, in
case you create something that would be a bigger benefit to the world if
it were commercially exploitable by others? The only reason I can see
not to do this is if you're trying to reserve commercial exploitation
for yourself. (Again, fair, but just come out and say that's what you
want.)

cjs
-- 
Curt Sampson       <cjs@example.com>        +81 90 7737 2974
           Functional programming in all senses of the word:
                   http://www.starling-software.com