[boost] Re: Boost license

From: Alexander Terekhov (terekhov_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-07-31 08:27:53

Momchil Velikov wrote:
> 
> >>>>> "Alexander" == Alexander Terekhov <terekhov_at_[hidden]> writes:
> 
>     Alexander> All the same ways as with copyrighted text. The GPL is not a
>     Alexander> contract and there's just nothing to accept. You'll have to
>     Alexander> show some copyright infringement (USC 106 though 121) without
>     Alexander> using words "distribution" and "promise". Assume that I simply
>     Alexander> download GPL'ed copies from some FSF's site not clicking on
>     Alexander> any "I accept" buttons.
> 
>   When you buy a book you don't sign a contract too. Nor a license.
> That does not mean that you have rights to copy the original work or
> derivatives.

Nothing; fair use (fair use copies also fall under 17 USC 109, BTW)
aside for a moment.

> 
>   How come with downloaded software it means ?

What do you mean? If I need two copies, I can download it two 
times (implied license "to save bandwidth" aside for a moment).

> 
>   I'd think making copies of the work constitutes an equivalent to
> clicking an accept button.

http://www.utexas.edu/law/journals/tiplj/volumes/vol10iss3/nadan.html
(Open Source Licensing:  Virus or Virtue?)

"Similarly, in Specht v. Netscape Communications Corp., the court 
 held that no agreement is formed if the customer downloads the 
 software without clicking a clickwrap and without first being 
 informed that the downloading constitutes acceptance of the 
 license agreement.[60] The customer could download this software 
 from Netscape’s website without being first forced to click the 
 clickwrap. Further, the notice about the existence of the 
 clickwrap was not even visible on the screen when downloading the 
 software—the user would only discover the clickwrap by browsing 
 elsewhere on the website.[61] “The only hint that a contract is 
 being formed is one small box of text referring to the license 
 agreement, text that appears below the screen used for 
 downloading and that a user need not even see before obtaining 
 the product.”[62] Thus, the downloader was “not bound by 
 inconspicuous contractual provisions of which he was unaware.”[63]"
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now, 

http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20031214210634851
(The GPL is a License, Not a Contract, Which is Why the Sky Isn't Falling)

Everybody and his dog (apart the Munich district court) is aware 
that the  GPL is *NOT* a contract.

http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/enforcing-gpl.html

<quote>

But most proprietary software companies want more power than 
copyright alone gives them. These companies say their software is 
``licensed'' to consumers, but the license contains obligations 
that copyright law knows nothing about. [...] Copyright law doesn't 
prohibit decompilation, the prohibition is just a contract term 
you agree to as a condition of getting the software when you buy 
the product under shrink wrap in a store, or accept a 
``clickwrap license'' on line. Copyright is just leverage for 
taking even more away from users. 

The GPL, on the other hand, subtracts from copyright rather than 
adding to it. The license doesn't have to be complicated, because 
we try to control users as little as possible.

[...]

The only thing we absolutely require is that anyone distributing 

</quote>

Well, 17 USC 109, Herr Professor.

<quote continued> 

Because there's nothing complex or controversial about the 
license's substantive provisions, I have never even seen a 
serious argument that the GPL exceeds a licensor's powers. But 
it is sometimes said that the GPL can't be enforced because 
users haven't ``accepted'' it. 

This claim is based on a misunderstanding.

</quote>

Got it?

> 
>   Besides, it is common to obtain the work and be aware of the license
> afterwards.  That again I can't imagine that means you're not bound by
> the terms of the license.

Talk to your lawyer, Momchil. The GPL is a joke.

regards,
alexander.

P.S. 

http://www.rosenlaw.com/html/GL19.pdf 
(Lawrence Rosen, Manifestation of Assent)