Post #218,863
8/11/05 4:52:28 PM
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Here is a better example
[link|http://www.fonality.com/|http://www.fonality.com/]
They just put a web interface in front of [link|http://www.asterisk.org/|Asterisk] and they ship you a box that uses the web interface. They have modifications to Asterisk, but they don't released because they didn't actually distribute Asterisk. What is the reason for a web interface you ask? None, other than to get around the requirements of the GPL.
Please tell me that this is not violating the intent, if not the letter, of GPLing Asterisk. I need the laugh.
Cheers, Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #218,876
8/11/05 5:45:57 PM
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Now *that* kind of "web service" *is* a loophole
Except that it's not. :-) To me "web service" means that it's accessed over a network. If it's installed on the same box it's just a service. When I write something that way I don't call it "web based", it's "browser based". Totally different thing. Sort of.
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #218,901
8/11/05 7:01:58 PM
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No, it is a loophole - see my reply to bepatient
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #218,879
8/11/05 6:09:41 PM
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FWIW, Asterisk can be commercially licensed
-- Chris Altmann
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Post #218,884
8/11/05 6:17:01 PM
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Not really.
They are selling you the server box with the sofware. I would definitely define that as distribution.
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #218,900
8/11/05 7:01:33 PM
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Nope, they are not
My understanding is that they don't distribute Asterisk on that box. Just a proprietary front end that connects to Asterisk running on their servers.
Cheers, Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #218,925
8/11/05 10:04:26 PM
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Re: Nope, they are not
[link|http://www.fonality.com/pbxtra_pricing.html|http://www.fonality....xtra_pricing.html] PBXtra is a full-featured IP-PBX that runs on a custom server sitting in your office. The cost is $995, including the server! That and the other marketing material on the site lead me to believe that asterisk is on the box sold.
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #218,940
8/11/05 11:28:28 PM
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The source of my impression...
I know someone who they wanted to hire, and they walked him through what they did.
I'd trust that more than the marketing material.
Cheers, Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #218,979
8/12/05 9:19:39 AM
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Thats fine
But since they publish that info for mass consumption...I'd say these guys aren't "skirting" the GPL as much as simply and blatantly violating it.
But I will grant that if they are trying to skirt by this on defining themselves as a "web service" then you could either change the license or simply better define web service, which is what is being done. However, I don't think it would be necessary if someone wanted to sue them for violation of the license. Reasonable man theory and all.
If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. Fudd's First Law of Opposition
[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]
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Post #219,014
8/12/05 11:29:52 AM
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I believe that they are not actually violating the license
As long as they don't redistribute Asterisk, they don't have to return their changes under GPL v2. The explanation that I heard suggests that, appearances notwithstanding, they are not actually violating the GPL v2. They're just leaning very, very hard on the loophole.
Perhaps this example may help demonstrate to Skip why Stallman might reasonably have changed his mind on this topic.
Cheers, Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #220,320
8/21/05 2:24:07 PM
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Still in wait and see mode!
This whole thing may be a non-issue. I hope so. I quit considering this; it's pointless until we can see.
[link|http://www.runningworks.com|
] Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning, As hopeless as it seems in the middle, Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #220,352
8/21/05 10:14:30 PM
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Not so pointless
Whether or not this group is violating the license (which depends on facts that I know through hearsay and cannot prove), the fact that this is possible demonstrates that there is a loophole which can be used in ways that most people who use the GPL probably wouldn't like.
Whether or not it is a good idea to try to shut down said loophole is another isssue. But the point remains that the spirit of the GPL can be abused by putting an http rpc mechanism in front of GPLed code and shipping a proprietary thin client.
Cheers, Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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