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tagomoris / glassdolphin

Automatically exported from code.google.com/p/glassdolphin
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Objection (about license) #20

Closed GoogleCodeExporter closed 9 years ago

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Though the GPL FAQ states there is normally no objection to selling GPL 
software, the fact you are charging more than a nominal amount of money on a 
platform heavily restricted by DRM raises a serious issue. Even though the 
program may be GPL, the iOS restriction on installing anything other than the 
specific binary on the AppStore® unless jailbroken forces users to pay the 
price in order to use the software on it's intended platform. Combined with the 
fact that Apple™ will not accept even legal perfect duplicates, particularily 
if it's at a lower price for fear of undercutting their own margins, leaves the 
developer in a position to abuse this bottleneck and profit off of Apple's DRM. 
This clear violation of the spirit and possibly the letter of the GPL leaves 
the average user with no real freedom. Though a modified version could not be 
run without a costly developer's account, the least that could be asked is to 
offer the app for free and solicit donations of gratitude instead for revenue.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by robb1701 on 27 Sep 2010 at 1:53

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago 
Licenses say what it needs in itself, and any other limitations or any other 
requirements are not needed (explicitly or implicitly). That is why we need 
various licenses.
GPL needs that users of GlassDolphin can get source code of it, and 
GlassDolphin provides all of its source code. That is all.

You (if you are a user of GlassDolphin) can get source code of GlassDolphin, 
and can also modify and share any others (of course, under GPLv3). See below.
http://glassdolphin.indirectcommunications.com/license

Possibly, Apple may not accept perfect copy of GlassDolphin on their AppStore.
But it is another problem, and GPL doesn't need authors to prepare users to 
republish its code.
At a time if you want to republish GlassDolphin's (modified?) code on AppStore, 
Apple always may reject your application. It is your problem (not mine).
'Real freedom' we think, and GPL says, is your rights to modify GlassDolphin 
and run your own devices, OSX systems (modified without iOS SDK), Linux or 
other systems (modified without Cocoa environment and builded on gcc), or NeXT 
:-)

Original comment by tagomo...@gmail.com on 28 Sep 2010 at 6:06