Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!AI.MIT.EDU!rms
From: rms@AI.MIT.EDU
Newsgroups: gnu.gcc
Subject: If the user does the link
Message-ID: <8906080326.AA00639@sugar-bombs.ai.mit.edu>
Date: 8 Jun 89 03:26:56 GMT
Sender: daemon@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
Distribution: gnu
Organization: GNUs Not Usenet
Lines: 39


    Imagine if using the worlds greatest screwdriver obligated you to give
    away the system it built

This analogy is false and misleading.  USING most GNU tools imposes no
restrictions.  Only copying them or parts of them does so.  In a
couple of cases, bison and the libraries, the way to use them involves
copying parts of them.  In most cases, including gcc which is the
subject for this list, it does not.

     - if using a 68K chip obligated you to give
    it and the schematics out.

This analogy is better.  It is accurate to a limited extent.  In a
large system, it is perfectly possible for GNU programs to coexist
with separate proprietary programs.  It is only within a single
program that this analogy holds.

    IMHO FSF software shouldn't penalize companies trying to use it in
    an honest day's work.

GNU software does not penalize anyone.  It does, however, help some projects
more than others.  It discriminates against hoarders.

GNU software can be used in certain ways even by hoarders.  In certain
other ways, it can be used only by sharers.  This is what I intended.
I have explained my reasons for this elsewhere, so I won't repeat
them here.

Many other contributors to GNU, who do not share my opposition to
proprietary software, have expressed the opinion that, if something
they wrote is going to be used in a proprietary program, they ought to
get paid.  They are willing to share with sharers like me, but feel no
obligation to contribute to a proprietary program gratis.

We all know that some people (many people) disagree with me.  Some of
them have already said so.  If you are another one of these people,
please spare the readers another message to this effect.  Your opinion
has already been expressed--saying it again won't help anyone.