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Nmap Non-Revocation
Nmap Non-Revocation
Posted Oct 13, 2005 6:50 UTC (Thu) by fyodor (subscriber, #3481)In reply to: Single-company free software by Ross
Parent article: Single-company free software
Discussion about revokability of the GPL came up when the nmap author forbid SCO from using his software due to their claiming that the GPL was invalid.
I was not arguing (nor do I believe) that the GPL can be revoked in the general case. The SCO issue was based on specific language within the GPL clause 5: "You are not required to accept this License, since you have not signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify or distribute the Program or its derivative works. These actions are prohibited by law if you do not accept this License." To the best of my knowlege, SCO has ceased distribution of Nmap in accordance with my demand (If anyone catches them still distributing it, let me know).
As for the Nessus issue, I have already sent out a response for the Nmap Security Scanner Project. We aren't planning to follow suit. Nmap has been GPL since its release more than 8 years ago and I am happy with that license.
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