Re[2]: VNC Licensing

[Martin, John]

These answers assume that the source could or would be modified, my basic
question pertained to "what if NO modifications are or would every be done
would there be any need whatsoever to include source if the entire packaged
binary/setup package was distributed as is just as received via the VNC
website"
-john

-----Original Message-----
From: Jay R. Ashworth [mailto:jra "at" baylink.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 10:34 AM
To: vnc-list "at" uk.research.att.com
Subject: Re[2]: VNC Licensing


On Tuesday, March 21, 2000, at 5:36:31 AM, you wrote:
>   You don't have to include the source on the distribution media, or even
on a
> website. you _MUST_ tell the users how to obtain the source, but if it is
> unaltered from the "official" distro the AT&T official distro site will do
> nicely. if you *do* alter the source, even a statement that you will email
out
> the source on request (with a email address for the request to go to) is
> sufficient - and a small charge to cover media/postage if you want to
snailmail
> out the source is usually considered acceptable (obviously, only enough to
cover
> your costs though, not to make a profit)

Concur, so far.

>   However, given the tiny size of VNC (zipped archive of source and
installable
> executable for the PC platform will both fit onto the same floppy) you may
find
> it easier just to drop the source archive into a subdir and be done with
it :+)

This brings up an interesting point I've been wondering about:

When you run a support organization, of any size at all, knowing that
your customer might be running a modified version of a program is
essential to avoiding running down blind alleys.

*My* interpretation of the GPL is that the "you may accompany the
binaries with a written offer [of source]" clause solves this problem:
the odds are better than even that someone who wants to modify the
program will get the sources from *you*, so that you will know they
might have changed something.

This isn't a GPL interpretations list, so please reply directly, if
you feel the need.  Summarization available.

Cheers,
-- jra
-- 
Jay R. Ashworth
jra "at" baylink.com
Member of the Technical Staff     
The Suncoast Freenet
Tampa Bay, Florida     http://baylink.pitas.com                +1 888 806
1654



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