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Wordsmith and formatting fixes.

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Bradley M. Kuhn 2014-03-18 18:37:53 -04:00
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gpl-lgpl.tex
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@ -2009,20 +2009,20 @@ and it is made so formally by GPLv2~\S6.
The first sentence in GPLv2~\S6 ensures that as software propagates down the
distribution chain, that each licensor can pass along the license to each
new licensee. Under GPLv2~\S6, the act of distributing automatically grants a
license from the original licensor to the next recipient. This creates a
new licensee. Under GPLv2~\S6, the act of distributing automatically grants a
license from the original licensor to the next recipient. This creates a
chain of grants that ensure that everyone in the distribution has rights
under the GPLv2\@. In a mathematical sense, this bounds the bottom ---
under the GPLv2\@. In a mathematical sense, this bounds the bottom ---
making sure that future licensees get no fewer rights than the licensee before.
The second sentence of GPLv2~\S6 does the opposite; it bounds from the top. It
The second sentence of GPLv2~\S6 does the opposite; it bounds from the top. It
prohibits any licensor along the distribution chain from placing
additional restrictions on the user. In other words, no additional
additional restrictions on the user. In other words, no additional
requirements may trump the rights and freedoms given by GPLv2\@.
The final sentence of GPLv2~\S6 makes it abundantly clear that no individual
entity in the distribution chain is responsible for the compliance of any
other. This is particularly important for noncommercial users who have
other. This is particularly important for noncommercial users who have
passed along a source offer under GPLv2~\S3(c), as they cannot be assured that
the issuer of the offer will honor their GPLv2~\S3 obligations.
@ -2034,19 +2034,18 @@ software.
\label{GPLv2s7}
In essence, GPLv2~\S7 is a verbosely worded way of saying for non-copyright
systems what GPLv2~\S6 says for copyright. If there exists any reason that a
systems what GPLv2~\S6 says for copyright. If there exists any reason that a
distributor knows of that would prohibit later licensees from exercising
their full rights under GPL, then distribution is prohibited.
Originally, this was designed as the title of this section suggests --- as
a last ditch effort to make sure that freedom was upheld. However, in
modern times, it has come to give much more. Now that the body of GPL'd
a last ditch effort to make sure that freedom was upheld. However, in
modern times, it has come to give much more. Now that the body of GPL'd
software is so large, patent holders who would want to be distributors of
GPL'd software have a tough choice. They must choose between avoiding
GPL'd software have a tough choice. They must choose between avoiding
distribution of GPL'd software that exercises the teachings of their
patents, or grant a royalty-free, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to
those patents. Many companies, including IBM, the largest patent holder
in the world, have chosen the latter.
those patents. Many companies have chosen the latter.
Thus, GPLv2~\S7 rarely gives software death by stopping its distribution.
Instead, it is inspiring patent holders to share their patents in the same
@ -2055,13 +2054,13 @@ freedom-defending way that they share their copyrighted works.
\section{GPLv2~\S8: Excluding Problematic Jurisdictions}
\label{GPLv2s8}
GPLv2~\S8 is rarely used by copyright holders. Its intention is that if a
GPLv2~\S8 is rarely used by copyright holders. Its intention is that if a
particular country, say Unfreedonia, grants particular patents or allows
copyrighted interfaces (no country to our knowledge even permits those
yet), that the GPLv2'd software can continue in free and unabated
distribution in the countries where such controls do not exist.
It is a partial ``out'' from GPLv2~\S7. Without GPLv2~\S8, if a copyright holder
It is a partial ``out'' from GPLv2~\S7. Without GPLv2~\S8, if a copyright holder
knew of a patent in a particular country licensed in a GPL-incompatible
way, then she could not distribute under GPL, because the work could
legitimately end up in the hands of citizens of Unfreedonia.