Various wordsmith and formatting changes.
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gpl-lgpl.tex
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gpl-lgpl.tex
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@ -1638,8 +1638,8 @@ distribution (more on that later).
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Under GPLv2~\S3(a), the source code provided must be the ``corresponding source
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Under GPLv2~\S3(a), the source code provided must be the ``corresponding source
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code.'' Here ``corresponding'' primarily means that the source code
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code.'' Here ``corresponding'' primarily means that the source code
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provided must be that code used to produce the binaries being distributed.
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provided must be that code used to produce the binaries being distributed.
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That source code must also be ``complete.'' A later paragraph of GPLv2~\S3
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That source code must also be ``complete''. GPLv2~\S3's penultimate paragraph
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explains in detail what is meant by ``complete.'' In essence, it is all
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explains in detail what is meant by ``complete''. In essence, it is all
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the material that a programmer of average skill would need to actually use
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the material that a programmer of average skill would need to actually use
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the source code to produce the binaries she has received. Complete source
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the source code to produce the binaries she has received. Complete source
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is required so that, if the licensee chooses, she should be able to
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is required so that, if the licensee chooses, she should be able to
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@ -1648,7 +1648,7 @@ complete source, it would not be possible to make changes that were
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actually directly derived from the version received.
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actually directly derived from the version received.
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Furthermore, GPLv2~\S3 is defending against a tactic that has in fact been
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Furthermore, GPLv2~\S3 is defending against a tactic that has in fact been
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seen in FSF's GPL enforcement. Under GPL, if you pay a high price for
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seen in GPL enforcement. Under GPL, if you pay a high price for
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a copy of GPL'd binaries (which comes with corresponding source, of
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a copy of GPL'd binaries (which comes with corresponding source, of
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course), you have the freedom to redistribute that work at any fee you
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course), you have the freedom to redistribute that work at any fee you
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choose, or not at all. Sometimes, companies attempt a GPL-violating
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choose, or not at all. Sometimes, companies attempt a GPL-violating
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@ -1663,9 +1663,9 @@ manner, those further down the distribution chain are assured that
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they have the unabated freedom to build their own derivative works
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they have the unabated freedom to build their own derivative works
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from the sources provided.
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from the sources provided.
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FSF (as authors of GPL) realizes that software distribution comes in many
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Software distribution comes in many
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forms. Embedded manufacturers, for example, have the freedom to put
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forms. Embedded manufacturers, for example, have the freedom to put
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GPL'd software into their PDAs with very tight memory and space
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GPL'd software into mobile devices with very tight memory and space
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constraints. In such cases, putting the source right alongside the
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constraints. In such cases, putting the source right alongside the
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binaries on the machine itself might not be an option. While it is
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binaries on the machine itself might not be an option. While it is
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recommended that this be the default way that people comply with GPL, the
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recommended that this be the default way that people comply with GPL, the
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@ -1673,24 +1673,22 @@ GPL does provide options when such distribution is infeasible.
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GPLv2~\S3, therefore, allows source code to be provided on any physical
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GPLv2~\S3, therefore, allows source code to be provided on any physical
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``medium customarily used for software interchange.'' By design, this
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``medium customarily used for software interchange.'' By design, this
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phrase covers a broad spectrum. At best, FSF can viably release a new GPL
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phrase covers a broad spectrum --- the phrase seeks to pre-adapt to
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every ten years or so. Thus, phrases like this must be adaptive to
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changes in technology. When GPLv22 was first published in June
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changes in the technology. When GPL version 2 was first published in June
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1991, distribution on magnetic tape was still common, and CD was
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1991, distribution on magnetic tape was still common, and CD was
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relatively new. Today, CD is the default, and for larger systems DVD-R is
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relatively new. By 2002, CD is the default. By 2007, DVD's were the
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gaining adoption. This language must adapt with changing technology.
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default. Now, it's common to give software on USB drives and SD card. This
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language in the license must adapt with changing technology.
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Meanwhile, the binding created by the word ``customarily'' is key. Many
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Meanwhile, the binding created by the word ``customarily'' is key. Many
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incorrectly believe that distributing binary on CD and source on the
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incorrectly believe that distributing binary on CD and source on the
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Internet is acceptable. In the corporate world, it is indeed customary to
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Internet is acceptable. In the corporate world in industrialized countries, it is indeed customary to
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simply download CDs worth of data over a T1 or email large file
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simply download a CDs' worth of data quickly. However, even today in the USA, many computer users are not connected to the Internet, and most people connected
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attachments. However, even today in the USA, many computer users with
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to the Internet still have limited download speeds. Downloading
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CD-ROM drives are not connected to the Internet, and most people connected
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to the Internet are connected via a 56K dial-up connection. Downloading
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CDs full of data is not customary for them in the least. In some cities
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CDs full of data is not customary for them in the least. In some cities
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in Africa, computers are becoming more common, but Internet connectivity
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in Africa, computers are becoming more common, but Internet connectivity
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is still available only at a few centralized locations. Thus, the
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is still available only at a few centralized locations. Thus, the
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``customs'' here must be normalized for a worldwide userbase. Simply
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``customs'' here are normalized for a worldwide userbase. Simply
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providing source on the Internet --- while it is a kind, friendly and
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providing source on the Internet --- while it is a kind, friendly and
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useful thing to do --- is not usually sufficient.
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useful thing to do --- is not usually sufficient.
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@ -1706,8 +1704,7 @@ As is shown above, Under GPLv2~\S3(a), embedded manufacturers can put the
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binaries on the device and ship the source code along on a CD\@. However,
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binaries on the device and ship the source code along on a CD\@. However,
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sometimes this turns out to be too costly. Including a CD with every
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sometimes this turns out to be too costly. Including a CD with every
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device could prove too costly, and may practically (although not legally)
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device could prove too costly, and may practically (although not legally)
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prohibit using GPL'd software. For this situation and others like it, \S
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prohibit using GPL'd software. For this situation and others like it, GPlv2\S~3(b) is available.
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3(b) is available.
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GPLv2~\S3(b) allows a distributor of binaries to instead provide a written
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GPLv2~\S3(b) allows a distributor of binaries to instead provide a written
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offer for source code alongside those binaries. This is useful in two
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offer for source code alongside those binaries. This is useful in two
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@ -1730,7 +1727,7 @@ support engineers must be trained how to route source requests, and
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source CD images for every release version for the last three years
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source CD images for every release version for the last three years
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must be kept on hand to burn such CDs quickly. The requests might not
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must be kept on hand to burn such CDs quickly. The requests might not
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even come from actual customers; the offer for source must be valid
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even come from actual customers; the offer for source must be valid
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for ``any third party.''
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for ``any third party''.
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That phrase is another place where some get confused --- thinking again
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That phrase is another place where some get confused --- thinking again
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that full public distribution of source is required. The offer for source
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that full public distribution of source is required. The offer for source
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