Re: [boost] [xint] Boost.XInt formal review

Subject: Re: [boost] [xint] Boost.XInt formal review
From: Artyom (artyomtnk_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-03-10 01:52:22

> From: Chad Nelson <chad.thecomfychair_at_[hidden]>
> Scott McMurray <me22.ca+boost_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> 
> >> I'm  leery of looking at any GMP code... it's probably pure paranoia,
> >> the  GPL can't apply to just *looking* at code, but I'd rather stick
> >> to  descriptions to ensure that my code doesn't resemble anyone
> >> else's  and nobody can claim that I've copied from them.
> >
> > Your paranoia  may be justified:
> >
> > "The courts have made it clear that, under  copyright law, proof of
> > substantial similarity between your work and  another work, along with
> > proof of access to the other work, may be  enough to prove
> > infringement, even when you don’t realize that you’re  making a copy."
> > ~ <http://rosenlaw.com/lj8.htm>
> 
> Sheesh...  that's even worse than I thought. :-( In that case, I think it
> best if I  don't even download GMP.
> -- 


OMG? Free software is about learning from each other. Collaboration not
about suing each other.

Now... It is legitimate action to look to other code. Use ideas.

It is not ok to copy the code, but nothing prevents you reimplementing the
code.

For protecting ideas there is patents, that by the way their usage rights
are explicitly transfered with GPLv3 code, so if you release a program
under GPLv3 that implement patented ideas you transfer the rights
to use them!

So stop telling "GPL-virus bullshit" I'm sorry.

Of course if you looking it proprietary code and agreed to their
harmful-protect-anything-I-can licenses it is other story

This does not work for case proprietary->open-source but
it works fine in way open-sources->proprietary/other license
as long as you do not copy the code.

Of course if you look and code and rewrite it line by line it is
other story, but I believe it is not the case.

Ideas and algorithms are not subject to copyrights (they subject
to patents)

And BTW GMP is LGPL and not GPL so it is perfectly friendly to
closed source software (not as Boost, but friendly)

Artyom

P.S.: I'm not a lawyer don't see the above as legal advice