Brian Kimball <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Oops, I only thought of this after reading SScott's mail. Even if I'm > incorrect regarding the meaning of "modified work as a whole", how could > one possibly violate the GPL if, as above, the GPLed work is not > distributed. After all, the GPL purports to only restrict modifying and > distributing that which is licensed under it: > > Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are > not covered by this License; they are outside its scope. > > So if, as in case 3, I'm not copying, distributing, or modifying > find_outer_otter or a derivative of find_outer_otter, how could I > possibly be in violation of the GPL? Because (3) is a subterfuge designed to get around (2). It's a thing called "contributory infringement." As a general legal rule, you cannot assume that A+B is legal, even if A separately is legal and B separately is legal; the combination can still be illegal. In this case, it is the combination of distributing find_outer_otter, and locate_inner_otter, and perhaps instructions on how to combine them. The sum of those actions, is a violation of the GPL, and if they are done by more than one person, then any person who intended to help make the sum happen is violating the GPL.
