xs@kittenz.org xs@kittenz.org wrote:
If I want to link a program with a closed source, patent-ridden, maggot-eaten library, isn't that up to me? [...]
I don't think anything in the GPL prevents that, but it does stop you distributing it as a derived version. It's defintely got a few questions in the GPL FAQ about this situation.
Linking against restricted software doesn't cause the loss of the ability to use the software.
Yes it does, as it obliges people to use the restricted software, possibly including discriminatory licence terms ("free for education" anyone?).
And GNU doesn't explicitly say you can leave it out. Many people writing software for free, can't afford lawyers.
That's why licensing@gnu.org and other similar services are provided. Anyway, why are you assuming that free software is written for free?
Yes, but you're assuming that the fsf will only improve and update the gpl to fix loopholes, and that those updates are correct. [...]
Why do you think the safeguards the FSF has in place will fail to do this in the future?