Python License Issues

[Aahz Maruch]

In article <mailman.1013768726.14741.python-list at python.org>,
 <christoforou at gaaros.com> wrote:
>
>What worries me is that the 'legal climate' of our times will hurt open 
>source acceptance and small soft shops in general. For it seems to me that 
>the recent escalation in legal actions against third party IP infringments 
>are driving coorporate clients to seek indemnity from IP violations. In 
>their (reasonable) view the cost of software is: 
>
> Cost= ActualCostOfApplication  
>+(ProbabilityOfLegalActionRelatingToApplication*SettlementAmount) 

Your equation ignores the fact that SettleAmount is hardly the only
possible cost.  No matter what the indemnity, if software you rely on is
withdrawn due to a suit, you'll have to eat the cost of using another
software package.  Heck, if the software is withdrawn without a lawsuit
you'll still have to eat the cost -- and that is a major disadvantage of
commercial software.  You picks your poison and you takes your chances.
-- 
                      --- Aahz  <*>  (Copyright 2002 by aahz at pobox.com)

Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6                 http://www.rahul.net/aahz/
Androgynous poly kinky vanilla queer het Pythonista

"usenet imitates usenet"  --Darkhawk