Re: GPL and other licences

[David Kastrup]

Graham Murray <newspost@gmurray.org.uk> writes:

> Stefaan A Eeckels <hoendech@ecc.lu> writes:
>
>> The assertion that the GPL gives you the right to make unlawful copies
>> is obviously incorrect, as it is not a right the copyright holder can
>> grant.
>
> GPL or otherwise, is the copyright holder not the only person who
> *can* give permission to make copies?

Not quite.  The copyright holder is the person who can create physical
copies owned by himself without restriction.  If he decides to
transfer ownership of such copies, the subsequent owner of the
received copies has both rights and restrictions making use of the
content of his physical copy.  Both rights and restrictions are
determined by copyright law.  The copyright holder can negotiate
different conditions or unilaterally grant more rights.

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum