[ubuntu-us-ma] A Free (Senpaga) Software License

[John Abreau]

On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 11:46 AM, Doc Kinne <kinnerc at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> I can see that philosophically. By invoking a noncommercial clause we are
> taking away the freedom to "sell" the software.
>


No, it's not at all that simple.  That was the whole point.  The very concept
of "noncommercial" is imprecise, ambiguous, and a legal quagmire.  There's
really no predicting what a judge will decide constitutes "commercial" use if
someone decides to sue.

Slapping a "noncommercial" restriction on a license essentially adds a layer
of FUD and has a chilling effect on serious community developer participation.


-- 
John Abreau / Executive Director, Boston Linux & Unix
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