[Wisconsin]

Are these guys misinformed or just shills for corporations?

(see URL for text of their letter)

[Mr. K]

I still say this whole argument is moot. If anyone out there wants to write free software, then by all means go ahead and do so.

I can't imagine anyone objecting to that- or why commercial software can't exist at the same time as free software.

The only problem I see here is that the hard core believers in open source want to force us all to believe in open source. They seem to be religious in their fervor.

[newberger]

First, the part you quoted here is mixed truth and error.
Yes, they are mis-representing the GPL. You *can* change
it and incorporate it in your software (but see below).

Second, I have grave reservations about my tax dollars
paying for software that is GPL'ed. Public domain is fine
but the GPL is not public domain.

As much as I appreciate the fruits of GNU software (I use
it all the time), the GPL makes drastic restrictions
on software that uses it. Essentially, if you link to
or otherwise incorporate GPL'ed software in your product
then YOU ARE OBLIGED to release your product under GPL.

If you don't believe me, read the license.

Newberger

[DrDavid]

It's a note to fellow New Democrats under the guise of protecting commercial interest's right to make money from the fruits of federal R & D, and to sign off on an attached letter to Richard A. Clarke, Chair of the President's Critical Infrastructure.

I thought corporate profits were immoral as far as Democrats are concerned. What caused this reversal? Campaign contributions from large corporations in the the State of Washington? When did Democtratic polititions start excepting money from corporate interests?

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

This article is misleading.  The letters are talking of concerns with GPLing government sponsored R&D.  If the government wishes to allow derivative works to be commercially licensable, fine.  OTOH, if derivative works are used in GPLed code, then the entire work is GPLed.  No problem either way.

[TheEngineer]

Perhaps one for the penguin ping list?

[HamiltonJay]

by Adam Smith, Congressman for the Ninth District in the State of Washington.

Distict nine happen to include Redmond WA ?

[Havoc]

Who did these uber-morons think would read this stuff?!
If this isn't about a load of crap....

[philetus]

Congressmen oppose Open Source


Translation: We don't get any kickbacks from open source

[gore3000]

by Adam Smith, Congressman for the Ninth District in the State of Washington.

Uhmmm, wonder who bought his vote?????

[AFreeBird]

Are these guys misinformed or just shills for corporations?

....A call to sign off on explicit rejection of "licenses that would prevent or discourage commercial adoption of promising cyber security technologies developed through federal R & D." has been issued by Adam Smith, Congressman for the Ninth District in the State of Washington.

3 Guesses as to which corporation; and the first two don't count.