[Bug-gnubg] Re: Concerns about Gnu GPL and eXtreme Gammon

[Christian Anthon]

Hi Xavier and readers of bug-gnubg,

Xavier sent me the attached mail this morning concerning eXtreme
Gammon. I consider the GPL case against eXtreme Gammon closed and just
wish to congratulate Xavier on a fine addition to the tools that we
have to deal with advanced backgammon analysis.

Christian.

On Wed, Jul 1, 2009 at 2:48 AM, <address@hidden> wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
>
> My name is Xavier Dufaure de Citres and I am the developer of  eXtreme
> Gammon by GameSite2000 Ltd.
>
>
>
> I feel necessary to address the comments about any violations regarding
>  GnuBG’s GPL.
>
>
>
> I guess the statement that was on our GammonSite.com web site regarding the
> contribution of Gary Wong’s code (and dated from 2002) was misleading.  I
> apologize for that.
>
>
>
> A bit of history:
>
> eXtreme Gammon came to life in 2003.
>
>
>
> In 2000 we had Snowie bots on our online backgammon site: GammonSite.com .
> But in 2001 Snowie told us they would charge us to continue having this
> feature. We researched and found a solution to replace these online
> opponents. I modified GnuBG 0.02 so it could handle match play to
> accommodate GammonSite.
>
>
>
> After a few months of working on the modifications, I started gaining an
> understanding of how to program a Neural network. At this time, we decided
> to start working on a stand–alone version of  eXtreme Gammon.
>
>
>
> We started from scratch, as I prefer to use Pascal. Around the beginning of
> 2004, the GnuBG 0.02 based bots in GammonSite were replaced by eXtreme
> Gammon. Since then, we worked on the interface. The Neural network went
> though a few rounds of training and features have been added, etc...
>
>
>
> So, there is no GnuBG code in eXtreme Gammon and it is not in violation of
> the GPL. I understand the legitimate concerns people on this forum had and I
> hope I put your mind at ease.
>
>
>
> Though it always seems proper for us to give acknowledgment to those who
> have had an influence on our work, we now see what the unfortunate effect of
> misinterpretation can have.
>
>
>
> Xavier Dufaure de Citres
>
> GameSite 2000 Ltd.
>
> eXtreme Gammon.
>
>
>
>
>
> PS: I found the discussion at
> http://www.mail-archive.com/address@hidden/msg04038.html I unfortunatly
> did not understand how I could reply to this particular thread. I am sending
> it to you as you enquired about the GPL status and because it states that
> you run the bug-gnubg list. Fell free to post my answer above.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your time.