Hi,
I'm the author of FileZilla (http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla), an GPL'ed FTP client for Windows.
I've a problem with a company which tries to sell FileZilla under a different name, though they have released it under the GPL as well. They have just renamed my program but have added some information that 'their' product has been derived from FileZilla. The source code of their version is also available, so far it is all GPL compliant.
But the problem is, that they have made it trialware with nagscreens on startup and shutdown, you have to register it after 15 days of use or it won't start any longer.
Is this allowed or does it get in conflic with section 4 of the GPL: "[...] You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein. [...]
I'm already in contact with that company and they claim that they do not violate this section of the GPL, because they are doing a really strange trick: They are using a launcher which will display the registration screen on startup and which will launch the actual app. And after the trial expires, everyone can still run the original app without any restriction. However, there is no information anywhere that the original app can be started directly and the launcher tells you that you have to register. So the majority (if not all) of the users will think that they really have to register.
Also, this company comes with the argument that other companies like Lindows and Red Hat are selling GPL software. But those companies don't use such tricks like launchers or trialware. Also, they are distributors and they have created at least some code on their own. And in case of Red Hat Linux, it is freely available on their FTP servers. You pretty much pay for the CDs, the manuals and the support rather than for the software.
Please help me with this issue, does this company violate the GPL or is this allowed? Is it valid to sell trialware GPL software?
Regards, Tim Kosse