I just have a few questions... I was a debator for a few years, so I was rather interested by this letter. However, I'm afraid I just don't understand certain points--perhaps because I have not followed all of the arguments being given... (or perhaps there's just no logical basis to the position being presented... I'm afraid that I suspect this...) First of all: How does the GPL contradict with the goal of "[promoting] the Progress of Science and the useful arts"? In my experience with the Open Source Community, it appears that the GPL does a very good job of propelling us toward the attainment of this goal. Even if it doesn't, I don't see how it prevents us from reaching it. It doesn't prevent people from creating their own software, copyrighting it, and then releasing it under whatever license they would like... Any person or company who would like to do so is welcome, in so far as they do not use GPLed code. That single restriction doesn't really restrict them much, as they would not have the GPLed code to use if they did not have the GPL... Secondly: I don't fully (or even in part) understand the relevance of the Eldred v Ashcroft case that they discuss. The Eldred v Ashcroft case deals with works which were originally placed under copyright. The current case deals with works which the authors choose to license in a free way. I don't see any connection. I believe their position would be valid if the FSF was arguing that copyrights and "unfree" licenses ought to be eliminated, or that companies ought to be required to release all code (regardless of inclusion of GPLed code) as free software. However, as I understand it, the FSF is not arguing for that... Anyway, if anybody has a better understanding of what SCO is trying to say, I'd love to hear it... ~Erin p.s. I would love to have a debate round on this.... :) i might potentially be able to argue even SCO's position better than they do..... :)
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