Remind yourself of FREEDOM!
I think "GPL nazis" is a very fitting description in this case. Actually I really like the GPL license because it lets software be free and remain free. However I think that these accusations would neither be in the sense of the Free Software Foundation - or at least my understanding of freedom, nor will Linux benefit from such extremistic behaviour. The GPL was made for freedom - not for restriction, or even hindering development as is the case here. I think it is obvious that VMware uses this code for compatibility reasons: they need this code to better interact with the kernel. In the USA and Europe, there is a clause assuring that decompiling proprietary software (even if forbidden explicitly in the license) is legal, as long as the code is used to assure interoperability with the decompiled software. I think this exeption also very similary applies to the situation VMware is in. However in this case, the software (the kernel) isn't even proprietary but claimed to be free.
But isn't that shocking?! On and on, free software fanatics critisize Microsoft for their immoral, restricting policy. But now, they are doing the exact same thing to VMware: Hindering proper development. They are dissapointing my dreams
The GPL is not meant to be used as a "patent" - meaning hindering proprietary softwares development, but rather supporting free software.
Unfortunately some people always get it wrong, people that do not see the world from human (social) eyes, but lawyers (cold, merciless, unbending) eyes and the consequences are plain -> Oracle, GPL licensed "Liberation" fonts, patent accusations all over the world .......... Well, but thats a social problem.
Should this really come in before court, I hope that the Free Software Foundation comes to similar conclusion and in this case makes an exception, as they are allowed to do (aren't they?).
best regards
Nuc!eoN
I think "GPL nazis" is a very fitting description in this case. Actually I really like the GPL license because it lets software be free and remain free. However I think that these accusations would neither be in the sense of the Free Software Foundation - or at least my understanding of freedom, nor will Linux benefit from such extremistic behaviour. The GPL was made for freedom - not for restriction, or even hindering development as is the case here. I think it is obvious that VMware uses this code for compatibility reasons: they need this code to better interact with the kernel. In the USA and Europe, there is a clause assuring that decompiling proprietary software (even if forbidden explicitly in the license) is legal, as long as the code is used to assure interoperability with the decompiled software. I think this exeption also very similary applies to the situation VMware is in. However in this case, the software (the kernel) isn't even proprietary but claimed to be free.
But isn't that shocking?! On and on, free software fanatics critisize Microsoft for their immoral, restricting policy. But now, they are doing the exact same thing to VMware: Hindering proper development. They are dissapointing my dreams
The GPL is not meant to be used as a "patent" - meaning hindering proprietary softwares development, but rather supporting free software.
Unfortunately some people always get it wrong, people that do not see the world from human (social) eyes, but lawyers (cold, merciless, unbending) eyes and the consequences are plain -> Oracle, GPL licensed "Liberation" fonts, patent accusations all over the world .......... Well, but thats a social problem.
Should this really come in before court, I hope that the Free Software Foundation comes to similar conclusion and in this case makes an exception, as they are allowed to do (aren't they?).
best regards
Nuc!eoN
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