Examining an attack on the GPL [LWN.net]

Examining an attack on the GPL

Posted Nov 25, 2003 0:05 UTC (Tue) by jamienk (subscriber, #1144)
In reply to: Examining an attack on the GPL by titousensei
Parent article: Examining an attack on the GPL

===Sony did a release of the gcc for their PS2 development kit (with PS2 chips specific stuff in it) that's only distributed to official developers. Those developers have the source code, but they won't distribute it (I'm pretty sure that by contract they will loose their right to produce PS2 games if they distribute it). That's allowed.===

I'm pretty sure that what you've just described is not allowed...? Once you have GPL'd code, you can copy and redistribute it under the GPL, and no additional requirments may be placed on you for it to be GPL. That means that I could redistribute Sony's code.

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Examining an attack on the GPL

Posted Nov 25, 2003 2:15 UTC (Tue) by Ross (subscriber, #4065) [Link]

I think you are correct. Any additional restrictions, even if they
aren't in the text of the license, are not allowed. Ask the FSF if you
want to know for sure. They have a GPL compliance address which I used
recently: license-violation at gnu dot org.

Grey Areas

Posted Nov 25, 2003 3:57 UTC (Tue) by emk (subscriber, #1128) [Link]

There's a few grey areas here; consult the original author and the FSF for details on what Sony could or couldn't do in a case like this.

Stallman himself--if I recall correctly--used to give people private GCC betas with the understanding that anybody who released an private beta probably wasn't going to be on the list next time around.

Although the core of the GPL is rooted deep in traditional copyright law, the edges are sometimes a little fuzzy. When in doubt, talk to the original maintainer and your lawyers. Saying "please" is good policy.

Examining an attack on the GPL

Posted Nov 25, 2003 7:55 UTC (Tue) by iabervon (subscriber, #722) [Link]

At a guess, PS2 developers are probably dealing with multiple things
here. The GPL gives them the right to distribute the gcc extension. But
the GPL has nothing to say about trademarks, and PS2 developers, by and
large, are hoping to continue to be licensed to release "games for the
PS2(tm)", and so they have to keep Sony happy. The thing in this case is
that you're not just a user of the software, but you're also getting
other rights from Sony which are important not for your use of the
software, but for your end goal.