On 17 Jun 2000, Oleg Goldshmidt wrote:
> However, the slashback article contains a statement that KDE violates
> the rights of the authors of GPLed components and patches included in
> the distribution. However, there is no good explanation or example of
> that, and that's what I'd like to see.
the Debian guy who worked with TT on the QPL sent a rant to FreshMeat
last night, but still no clear explanation.
http://freshmeat.net/news/2000/06/17/961300740.html
unless I'm blind, the problem is only the redistribution of Qt for
money. GPL allowes (and RMS ecourages) to charge money on redistributing
GPL software, but QPL won't allow it. in such a case I see no problem
using Qt (with a KDE product or any other) if it got to me gratis
through a download or a CD copy from a friend, but not legal for the
distributor if he sells me the product. so for certain interpretations
of the law, Red Hat, Corel, Mandrake and others are in violation of the
QPL if they sell me the CD for $50, but not if I DL the RPMs myself.
fact is, TT is not alarmed by that, so they see it as the KDE developers
see it. I wish the Debian people provided a little more in-depth
information on the few remaining issues. otherwise we are arguing in the
air here.
> I don't think there can be an argument that KDE is distributed as one
> piece. However, conceivably one can argue that there is Qt and a
> collection of programs that are designed to work with it, and it is
> the latter that is KDE. IMHO (IANAL!) this is weak, and my
> understanding is that KDE without Qt is not GPLed either.
in a very specific interpretation, yes. other than the part of Qt
redistribution must be done gratis, and copyright on patches is of TT's
automaticly, I don't see the problems. and those two issues are the
parts that bother TT I'm sure, as they want to control revenew from
their IP.
--
Ira Abramov (@- Gnu/Linux, Free Speech, RFC 1855
whois: IA58 //\ Peace, Love, Music, Slow Food
www.scso.com v_/_ Citroens, Camels, Penguins, Cats
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