Josh Triplett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Consider what we would say if we were explaining why debian-legal ruled > this license non-free: "Well, it doesn't allow you to sue the people who > wrote the software and still keep the right to distribute the > software."
Absolutely. I don't see why I should lose my right to distribute the software just because I sue one of the authors -- after all, I might be in the right! > Finally, I think the GPL would have the same effect with respect to > software patents. If you use a software patent to sue about a piece of > GPLed software, you are attempting to take away the right to > use/copy/modify/distribute that software under the conditions of the > GPL. Since this would mean only people who have a patent license from > you can use/copy/modify/distribute the software, you cannot satisfy the > terms of the GPL (which require you to grant that right to everyone who > has a copy), so you lose the right to distribute the software under GPL > clause 7. Not necessarily. There are some lawsuits that might have this problem, but others don't -- though some of them assume convoluted patent licenses in the first place. -- Brian Sniffen [EMAIL PROTECTED]