Re: Corel Linux

[Dr A V Le Blanc <nospam [at] mcc.ac.uk>]

On Tue, Sep 21, 1999 at 05:50:50PM +0900, Stephen J. Turnbull wrote:
> Yes, Corel's error requires response. The GPL doesn't allow you to
> distribute beta versions under restricted terms to anybody (who hasn't
> already signed away their rights to you, eg, in an employment
> contract).

I'm not sure of this; the Free Software Foundation (who may know
something about the GPL) used to distribute snapshots of gcc under
very restricted terms: it might not be as binding as a non-disclosure
agreement, but we were certainly told not to distribute the snapshots,
and in a couple of cases those who did so were removed from the list.
The FSF were, of course, accused of inconsistency at the time.

I'm all for making sure the legalities are nicely tidied away,
and it may be the 'non-disclosure agreement' for GPLed software is
(or should be) merely an agreement and not legally binding, but
I think they can ask you to agree to such terms without violating
the licence.

-- Owen
LeBlanc@mcc.ac.uk

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