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Various wordsmith and formatting changes.

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Bradley M. Kuhn 2014-03-18 18:04:51 -04:00
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gpl-lgpl.tex
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@ -1898,15 +1898,15 @@ implied patent license to any of its patents that cover that program.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
\chapter{Defending Freedom on Many Fronts}
Chapters~\ref{run-and-verbatim} and ~\ref{source-and-binary} presented the
core freedom-defending provisions of GPLv2\@, which are in GPLv2~\S\S0--3. \S\S
4--7 of the GPLv2 are designed to ensure that GPLv2~\S\S0--3 are not infringed,
are enforceable, are kept to the confines of copyright law, and are not
trumped by other copyright agreements or components of other entirely
separate legal systems. In short, while GPLv2~\S\S0--3 are the parts of the
license that defend the freedoms of users and programmers, GPLv2~\S\S4--7 are
the parts of the license that keep the playing field clear so that \S\S
0--3 can do their jobs.
Chapters~\ref{run-and-verbatim} and~\ref{source-and-binary} presented the
core freedom-defending provisions of GPLv2\@, which are in GPLv2~\S\S0--3.
GPLv2\S\S~4--7 of the GPLv2 are designed to ensure that GPLv2~\S\S0--3 are
not infringed, are enforceable, are kept to the confines of copyright law but
also not trumped by other copyright agreements or components of other
entirely separate legal systems. In short, while GPLv2~\S\S0--3 are the parts
of the license that defend the freedoms of users and programmers,
GPLv2~\S\S4--7 are the parts of the license that keep the playing field clear
so that \S\S 0--3 can do their jobs.
\section{GPLv2~\S4: Termination on Violation}
\label{GPLv2s4}
@ -1918,22 +1918,22 @@ However, upon further examination, the difference between irrevocability
and this termination clause becomes clear.
The GPL is irrevocable in the sense that once a copyright holder grants
rights for someone to copy, modify and redistribute the software under
terms of the GPL, they cannot later revoke that grant. Since the GPL has
no provision allowing the copyright holder to take such a prerogative, the
rights for someone to copy, modify and redistribute the software under terms
of the GPL, they cannot later revoke that grant. Since the GPL has no
provision allowing the copyright holder to take such a prerogative, the
license is granted as long as the copyright remains in effect.\footnote{In
the USA, due to unfortunate legislation, the length of copyright is
nearly perpetual, even though the Constitution forbids perpetual
copyright.} The copyright holder has the right to relicense the same
work under different licenses (see Section~\ref{Proprietary Relicensing}
of this tutorial), or to stop distributing the GPLv2'd version (assuming \S
3(b) was never used), but she may not revoke the rights under GPLv2
already granted.
the USA, due to unfortunate legislation, the length of copyright is nearly
perpetual, even though the Constitution forbids perpetual copyright.} The
copyright holders have the right to relicense the same work under different
licenses (see Section~\ref{Proprietary Relicensing} of this tutorial), or to
stop distributing the GPLv2'd version (assuming GPLv2~\S3(b) was never used),
but they may not revoke the rights under GPLv2 already granted.
In fact, when an entity looses their right to copy, modify and distribute
GPL'd software, it is because of their \emph{own actions}, not that of
the copyright holder. The copyright holder does not decided when GPLv2~\S4
termination occurs (if ever), the actions of the licensee does.
GPL'd software, it is because of their \emph{own actions}, not that of the
copyright holder. The copyright holder does not decided when GPLv2~\S4
termination occurs (if ever); rather, the actions of the licensee determine
that.
Under copyright law, the GPL has granted various rights and freedoms to
the licensee to perform specific types of copying, modification, and
@ -1943,12 +1943,13 @@ those other types (e.g., redistributing binary-only in violation of GPLv2~\S3),
then all rights under the license --- even those otherwise permitted for
those who have not violated --- terminate automatically.
GPLv2~\S4 gives GPLv2 teeth. If licensees fail to adhere to the license, then
they are stuck. They must completely cease and desist from all
copying, modification and distribution of that GPL'd software.
GPLv2~\S4 makes GPLv2 enforceable. If licensees fail to adhere to the
license, then they are stuck without any permission under to engage in
activities covered by copyright law. They must completely cease and desist
from all copying, modification and distribution of the GPL'd software.
At that point, violating licensees must gain the forgiveness of the
copyright holder to have their rights restored. Alternatively, they could
At that point, violating licensees must gain the forgiveness of the copyright
holders to have their rights restored. Alternatively, the violators could
negotiate another agreement, separate from GPL, with the copyright
holder. Both are common practice.