Fw: Query about GNU-GPL

[Niall Douglas]

On 23 Mar 2005 at 11:05, Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:

>    >     Despite what the GPL FAQ may say,
>    > 
>    > Frankly, I trust the GPL FAQ--which is based on answers from >
>    lawyers--more then I trust what your opinion on the matter is.
> 
>    The GPL FAQ is not based on answers from lawyers, rather it is
>    written by GPL zealots like yourself and then it is reviewed by
>    lawyers to see if their interpretation has some legal basis, which
>    it does.
> 
> I will ignore the personal attacks this time; but I suggest that you
> stop that kind of crap on a list where people who are interested in
> protecting your freedom are subscribed.

I as many other free software believers would argue that the GPL is a 
necessary evil (ask any BSD believer). You know there is more than 
one kind of free software than GPL and it doesn't help with people 
ramming the GPL without qualification down the throat of anyone who 
asks.

> The GPL FAQ is infact based on answers from lawyers (Molgen I belive),
> and people who have better knowledge about the GPL then you at the
> FSF.

Lawyers will write what you ask them if you pay them so long as the 
view you ask for can be supported by a particular interpretation of 
the law. Just as equally, I could pay often the exact same lawyer to 
write my interpretation of the law.

Lawyers don't determine the interpretation of the law, courts do. So 
go on believing that the GPL FAQ is the one true interpretation of 
the law if you like, though if you read it closely you will find it 
puts provisos that its interpretation of the shared library issue is 
not the only one.

Cheers,
Niall