Re: Linux GPL and binary module exception clause?

Larry McVoy
2003-12-10T16:06:51Z

On Wed, Dec 10, 2003 at 03:59:15PM +0000, David Woodhouse wrote:
> On Wed, 2003-12-10 at 07:11 -0800, Larry McVoy wrote:
> > You may license *your* work under whatever terms you want. Those terms
> > can't extend to things that aren't your work in a copyright license.
>
> Please elaborate. We're talking about a situation in which I grant a
> licence for you to copy and use my work, in exchange for something I
> desire from you. In the absence of a contract, this is limited to me
> effectively saying "You may copy and use my work if and only if you do
> XXX".
>
> If you do not do 'XXX' then you may not use my work.
>
> Are you saying that there are things which I may not ask for? Could you
> elaborate?

I think at this point you need to talk to a lawyer. I can guess where this
conversation is going and I'm not going to be effective.

> I need a contract to force you to do anything; this is true.
>
> Without a contract, all I can do if you don't abide by my conditions is
> observe that you don't have my permission to copy my work, and hence
> that if you do so you are committing a criminal offence.

Huh? I don't think that copyright violation makes you a felon.
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Larry McVoy lm at bitmover.com http://www.bitmover.com/lm