Fw: Query about GNU-GPL

[Jeroen Dekkers]

At Wed, 23 Mar 2005 13:11:40 -0000,
Niall Douglas wrote:
> 
> On 23 Mar 2005 at 11:05, Alfred M. Szmidt wrote:
> 
> >    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.

Talking about "GPL zealots" doesn't help anything either.
 
> > 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.

The only thing is that the FSF doesn't pay lawyers. Eben Moglen works
pro bono for the FSF. So please stop saying ridiculous things such as
the FSF paying lawyers to give opinions which don't stand in court.

Jeroen Dekkers