Re:We've filed a lawsuit against GitHub Copilot
by joe_the_user on Friday November 04, 2022 @07:49PM
(#33475789)
The idea that using copilot "damages" copyright seems ill-considered.
Suppose a commercial software company just took GPL-licensed software and openly incorporated into their own code and then sold. Would that "damage" copyright also? Remember, there's no legal principle that says "if we catch violating copyright, your stuff is now free". The copyright holder can sue for damages or to stop distribution and that's it.
People like Larry Ellison of Oracle have claimed they just steal GPL'd stuff 'cause it there. But Oracle defends it's copyrighted code very aggressively. Oppositely, the GPL is intended to allow more open access than public domain in a time where commercial companies want to take anything they can get.
Suppose a commercial software company just took GPL-licensed software and openly incorporated into their own code and then sold. Would that "damage" copyright also? Remember, there's no legal principle that says "if we catch violating copyright, your stuff is now free". The copyright holder can sue for damages or to stop distribution and that's it.
People like Larry Ellison of Oracle have claimed they just steal GPL'd stuff 'cause it there. But Oracle defends it's copyrighted code very aggressively. Oppositely, the GPL is intended to allow more open access than public domain in a time where commercial companies want to take anything they can get.