LWN debates whether using GPL software on missiles counts as distribution

Re:LWN debates whether using GPL software on missiles counts... by excuse-me on Tuesday June 12, 2012 @09:00AM (#4100196)

You have to supply the code used in products that you distribute - hence the whole Tivo issue.

So the argument is - have you distributed the missile to the firers or to the target?

That's what the AGPL sorts out. Is being hit by a missil a 'service'

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Re:LWN debates whether using GPL software on missiles counts... by Symmetry on Tuesday June 12, 2012 @09:38AM (#4100359)

This is sort of hilarious, but I'm pretty sure that firing a missile at someone doesn't count as giving them code. Its not your intent that they're able to use the missile for their own purposes, for example.

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Re:LWN debates whether using GPL software on missiles counts... by excuse-me on Tuesday June 12, 2012 @11:41AM (#4100983)

Your intent isn't important - it's the intent of the person licensing the software.

I publish my shark+laser beam integration library in the hope that other evil geniuses will use it and improve on it. Together we can produce an opensource shark+laser beam system that is more secure and reliable than the commercial offering. When you are an evil genius you have to worry about these things.

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Re:LWN debates whether using GPL software on missiles counts... by ErrantX on Tuesday June 12, 2012 @09:11AM (#4100238)

One additional consideration; does being hit by a missile constitute unsolicited mailing?

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