Re: [fink-core] Running Octave from Fink?

[Sergei Steshenko]

----- Original Message -----
> From: Richard Stallman <address@hidden>
> To: edmund ronald <address@hidden>
> Cc: address@hidden; address@hidden; address@hidden; address@hidden; 
> address@hidden
> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 8:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [fink-core] Running Octave from Fink?
> 
>     This discussion started with Gnu Octave. Octave is an interpreter, so 
> there
>     are no downstream products. In what way can Apple's shenanigans on OS X
>     create issues for users here? They are executing their code on the same
>     non-free machine it was compiled on, and they have already agreed to said
>     non-free environment.
> 
> We cannot allow people to add nonfree code to GPL-covered programs.
> If that were allowed, people could release nonfree code to extend
> GPL-covered programs, which is tantamount to making nonfree extended
> versions of them.
> 
> I designed the system library exception carefully to avoid opening up
> that danger.
> 
> That the code runs on a nonfree platform is no excuse for respecting
> the users' freedom less.  The system library exception is meant to
> cover the code that belongs to the system itself.  If we allowed
> anything more, could we distinguish it from an arbitrary proprietary
> add-on?
> 
> I have not finished reading all the mail you've sent, because it is
> too much!  So I don't know how these points apply to the current
> situation, and I don't have any conclusion to state about this case.
> 
> -- 
> Dr Richard Stallman
> President, Free Software Foundation
> 51 Franklin St
> Boston MA 02110
> USA
> www.fsf.org  www.gnu.org
> Skype: No way! That's nonfree (freedom-denying) software.
>   Use Ekiga or an ordinary phone call
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Help-octave mailing list
> address@hidden
> https://mailman.cae.wisc.edu/listinfo/help-octave
>

"We cannot allow people to add nonfree code to GPL-covered programs." - not 
only you _can_, you _do_.

I suggest to read the GPL FAQ. As long as there is no distribution of code (and 
distributing code between the same company sites is _not_ distribution 
according to the FAQ), people can do with GPL code whatever they like.


http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#InternalDistribution :

"

Is making and using multiple copies within one organization or company 
“distribution”? (#InternalDistribution)
No, in that case the organization is just making the copies for
itself.  As a consequence, a company or other organization can develop
a modified version and install that version through its own
facilities, without giving the staff permission to release that
modified version to outsiders.
However, when the organization transfers copies to other organizations
or individuals, that is distribution.  In particular, providing copies
to contractors for use off-site is distribution.

".

Regards,
  Sergei.