Re: "Software Libre and Commercial Viability"

[Alessandro Rubini <http://www.pop.systemy.it/~rubini>]

Hello.

> [...]  But perhaps I'm wrong -- maybe the case of someone making GNU
> software only available in the form of a server would too much
> violate the "spirit" of the GPL rather than its actual words.

I see your point.

My company (prosa Srl, www.prosa.it (only in Italian, currently)) only
uses and develops open-source software. We are going to develop small
linux servers as standalone boxes (with PC104 hardware to keep the
size small). We plan to release source to everything we develop, maybe
as a tar file on our ftp site (like "this is the web server", "this is
the mail server"). However, I've already seen linux firewalls out
there without source code included...

Normally, users of these devices don't need source code, but the main
point of the GPL is allowing those who want to put their hands in the
code to be able to do it. Didn't try to ask those people if they are
going to release sources...

>> Or is it that the hw manufacturer can refuse to release source code
>> because the sw is not useable without the accompanying hardware?
 
> I hadn't thought about that case, but I suppose that's possible.

I'm happy you didn't mean that. In my opinion that is not possible:
the manufacturer must relase sources, even if they are not directly
useable. They may include interesting algorithms anyways, maybe
derived from other free software...

One of my current clients creates audio systems for factories.  They
are going GPL (mainly because I won't do the work unless it is GPL :).
We are going to let source code in any installation (a conventional
PC), so the GPL is safe and the user can change things. However, if
someone will change the program, they will loose the warrany and
assistance on the installation. This is perfectly right as the GPL
refuses any warranty which is set up by another contract.

The main advantage of the GPL here is that if my client disappears,
the final users can hire other programmers to take over with the
guarantee and assistance on the installation (as long as the
proprierary hw remains operational :).

Best
/alessandro