Messages in this thread | | | Date | Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:05:49 +0100 | From | "H. Peter Anvin" <> | Subject | Re: "GPL weasels and the atheros stink" |
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Jeff Garzik wrote: > Jonathan A. George wrote: >> ... But is it _ethical_ (as opposed to legal) to violate the expressed >> intent of the original author ... > > The author expresses his intent primarily by choice of license text, and > it's very important to all of us that we follow the rules set forth by > the author in that license text. >
I have released software on more on one occasion where I have given a very liberal license (like MIT), and then put a "however, if you like this, X would be appreciated." I wouldn't consider it unethical if someone didn't obey the optional request (it's optional for a reason), however, it does mean that I do genuinely appreciate someone doing X.
So there is a difference between what is legal and ethical, and what is the nice/friendly thing to do.
-hpa
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