From 62a0c3b4fb6515a627d28e06e355d48ce52a859f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Bradley M. Kuhn" Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:56:28 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Wordsmithing in the public domain section. --- gpl-lgpl.tex | 22 +++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) diff --git a/gpl-lgpl.tex b/gpl-lgpl.tex index 21e2e73..408fc70 100644 --- a/gpl-lgpl.tex +++ b/gpl-lgpl.tex @@ -373,26 +373,26 @@ automatically by the author when she ``fixes the software into a tangible medium.'' In the software world, this usually means typing the source code of the software into a file. -Imagine if an author can truly disclaim that default control given to her by the -copyright laws. Once this is done, the software is in the public domain ---- it is no longer covered by copyright. Since it is copyright law that -allows for various controls on software (i.e., prohibition of copying, -modification, and redistribution), removing the software from the -copyright system and placing it into the public domain does yield Free -Software. +Imagine if authors could truly disclaim those default control of copyright +law. If so, the software is in the public domain -- no longer covered by +copyright. Since copyright law is the construction allowing for most +restrictions on software (i.e., prohibition of copying, modification, and +redistribution), removing the software from the copyright system usually +yields software freedom for its users. Carefully note that software in the public domain is \emph{not} licensed in any way. It is nonsensical to say software is ``licensed for the public domain,'' or any phrase that implies the copyright holder gave expressed permission to take actions governed by copyright law. -By contrast, what the copyright holder has done is renounce her copyright -controls on the work. The law gave her controls over the work, and she -has chosen to waive those controls. Software in the public domain is -absent copyright and absent a license. The software freedoms discussed in +By contrast, the copyright holders instead renounced copyright controls on +the work. The law gave the copyright holder exclusive controls over the +work, and they chose to waive those controls. Software in the public domain +is absent copyright and absent a license. The software freedoms discussed in Section~\ref{Free Software Definition} are all granted because there is no legal system in play to take them away. + \subsection{Why Copyright Free Software?} If simply disclaiming copyright on software yields Free Software, then it