Re: SFLC is succeeding.

[Alan Mackenzie]

Hello Rjack, back again, are we?

In gnu.misc.discuss RJack <user@example.net> wrote:
> I have a Google alert set to "GPL". It is very obvious from my mailbox
> that the SFLC is succeeding in educating the business world to avoid
> GPL'd "Free Software".

That's at best a mischaracterisation.  The "business world" (whatever
that might mean) is as welcome as anybody to use free software (in the
sense of running it), and a vast number of businesses do.  As you are
well aware, the GPL is an extraordinarily generous copyright license.

Just there are some requirements, not onerous, which must be fulfilled if
the "business world" (whatever that might mean) or anybody else
distributes free software.

> The legal harassment of businesses with frivolous lawsuits by the SFLC
> ....

So, a legal action for violation of copyright, done in good faith, is
"harassment" and a "frivolous lawsuit" as far as Rjack is concerned?
Wierd.

> .... is convincing entrepreneurs to utilize open source code licensed
> under truly free Apache, MIT, BSD and similar non-restrictive licenses.

Maybe, maybe not.  The thing is, though, there isn't all that much
software available under these licenses, certainly compared with that
available under the GPL.  Think about why this might be the case.

Even the various BSD Unixen use GPL code.  For that matter, GNU also uses
BSD licensed code.

> Erik Raymond once predicted the GPL would collapse under its own
> philosophical baggage. The SFLC is accelerating that collapse.

Is that right?  Seems to be holding up just fine as far as I can see.

> The recent lawsuit by the SFLC is unquestionably an attempt to
> raise the profile of the SFLC's fundraising in this time of severe
> recession.

That's a bit far fetched, even for you.

> The SFLC's incompetent staff suck handsome salaries out of the public
> donations to "defense of Free Software" by the SFLC.

That remark comes into the category of libel.  Good job none of them take
you at all seriously.

> Sincerely,
> Rjack

-- 
Alan Mackenzie (Nuremberg, Germany).