Re: Use of GPL'd code with proprietary programs

[telford]

In gnu.misc.discuss Isaac <isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> wrote:

> The other problem is that IMO the FSF wants to rely on protection
> mechanisms that have already been denied to some proprietary vendors
> in some very prominent cases.  So rather than equal treatment for
> the "little guy" you are arguing that GPLed works must have special
> protection that others do not get.

Not at all, I believe that eventually the courts will realise that
for copyright law to provide a mechanism that locks out compatibility
(under any mechanism) is bad for the economy and bad for the end user.
Thus both proprietary and GPL will eventually be pushed towards playing
fair. In the meantime, while there is still some room for uncertainty
we should make our claims as bold as we can.

After all, if it was so easy for anyone for force the FSF to open their
libraries up for compatibility purposes, why hasn't anyone done it?
My explanation is that the GPL developers don't want to try and the
proprietary businesses are nervous about what precedent the court case
might set. The whole thing is a house made of very thin card, but
under the current conditions it is a strong house.

        - Tel