MESSAGE
| DATE | 2010-01-03 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] MySQL issues
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On Sat, Jan 02, 2010 at 11:30:48PM -0500, Ron Guerin wrote:
> Paul Charles Leddy wrote:
> > Can anyone clarify the dual-license deal in a paragraph w/ less than
> > 10 sentences? I am still unsure on that measure.
> >
>
> When there is a single copyright holder over GPL code, as in the case of
> MySQL, that entity has the right to change the license for new versions,
> and the right to offer the code under multiple licenses (terms)
> simultaneously. In this case, whoever owns the MySQL copyrights is able
> to distribute it under both GPL and proprietary, closed source
> licenses. In other words, I can go to Sun and buy a license to
> distribute closed source versions of MySQL. If MySQL were under a BSD
> license, then everyone could offer MySQL under multiple licenses, not
> just the copyright holder. This is the root of why BSD license
> proponents argue that their license is more free than the GPL. BSD
> offers you the right to deny others the freedoms you received. Monty
> can't offer his fork of MySQL to anyone under anything other than the
> terms of the GPL unless he can get the license changed or
> (theoretically) purchase a license from Sun/Oracle to distribute under
> non-GPL terms.
>
That I understand and I'm not convinced that this in any way prevents or
hurts his ability to be profitable as a seperate entity. I'm sure he
has business partners who view it otherwise, but in no way do I believe
that their assesment is anything more that braindead corperate group
think brainwashing preaheaded by legal departments who are completely
ill-equipted to understand ANYTHING about the GPL or the real impact of
intellectual property to profitability.
Ruben
> - Ron
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