What is free software? [Re: Licenses and Open Source don't conflict.]

[Chris Gonnerman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Magnus Lie Hetland" <mlh at vier.idi.ntnu.no>

> Well -- the Python license is GPL-compatible, so couldn't you just
> release a GPL'ed version of it, if that would make you happy? Of
> course, the original would still be freely available without the added
> burden of the GPL restrictions, but if you're really interested in
> freedom, that shouldn't bother you...

"GPL Compatible" with respect to Python's license does NOT mean that 
anyone can change the license at will.  If someone incorporates GPL'd
code into the Python core, the *aggregate* must be distributed under
the GPL but the *core* is still under the normal Python license.

If you aren't the author / copyright owner, you have no right to change
the license.
 
> <duck and cover>

Good idea.  :-)

Chris Gonnerman -- chris.gonnerman at newcenturycomputers.net
http://newcenturycomputers.net