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Subject: Re: Bionic vs Crafty, once again

Author: Ed Schröder

Date: 11:05:53 01/24/99

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>>Whatever you put in the newspaper is public domain information. You
>>can't complain when somebody uses this information for his own good.
>>That's what the GNU and Crafty sources are. It is spread on multiple
>>ftp servers on the Internet free downloadable for everybody.
>>
>>And *if* you can proof you have spend a reasonable amount of time
>>and energy (such as an own GUI and engine) you even have full right
>>to sell it.
>
>This is wrong.  But to understand why, I'd like to suggest that you go
>download a copy of Linux, and then _sell_ it to some companies where you
>live.  _then_ you will find out just how wrong your interpretation of the
>GPL agreement really is.
>
>
>
>
>>Sofar the legal part.
>>
>>The "license agreement" of the Crafty sources is simply wrong. Bob
>>distributes the Crafty sources as freeware but apparently you have
>>to stick to a lot of exceptions uncommon to freeware. It's like putting
>>something in the newspaper and say, "You may not use this information
>>in the following cases..." That is not how it works.

>You do know that you can't copy something verbatim from a newspaper and
>use it as though _you_ wrote it?  Ie 'plagarism'???

>>If Bob wants to distribute his sources including special wishes then
>>the freeware label isn't a correct one. He might consider that people
>>who want the Crafty sources contact him and after they have agreed
>>to his special rules Bob simply reveals how to get the sources.
>>
>>I like to emphasize that I am a supporter of the Crafty-sources approach
>>as it is good for the progress of computer chess but I mainly jumped in
>>the discussion because I feel that injustice is done to Bionic putting them
>>on a public trial for no other reason than a flawed license agreement.
>
>
>the license agreement isn't flawed.  _huge_ corporations around the world are
>using linux now.  Some computer companies (gateway, dell, IBM, Compaq) are
>distributing linux on high-end server platforms.  And they abide by the strict
>GPL everyone uses, because it is most definitely a legally binding contract..
>you use it, you must abide by the complete GNU GPL.  You don't like the GNU
>GPL agreement, you remove Linux and find something else.

>And this GPL has stood the test of time, _and_ the test of courts in several
>cases...

Then make such a thing so that every chess programmer knows what
your intentions are and what is allowed or not.

Kind regards,

Ed Schroder



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