Re: [Axiom-developer] GPLv2 goes to court

[Ralf Hemmecke]

On 12/15/2014 11:20 PM, address@hidden wrote:
> http://opensource.com/law/14/7/lawsuit-threatens-break-new-ground-gpl-and-software-licensing-issues

What exactly does that have to do with Axiom?

> On the "distribution to independent contractors" (triggering the
> distribution clause) vs "independent contractors are employees"
> (not a distribution) it seems that Ameriprise does not provide
> independent contractors with an office, phone, or benefits so
> they would not be considered employees. Thus, Ameriprise would
> likely have "distributed" the software. 

IANAL, but the software is re-distributed even in the case that an
employer gives it to its employees under the GPL. Now an employee has to
right to get the sources. He also has the right (under GPL) to
redistribute. Well, this might conflict with his contract with the
employer, so the employee might choose not to re-distribute the software
any further. If one receives GPL software, there is no obligation to
redistribute it. GPL only applies if one starts a distribution.

Anyway, GPLv3 probably makes things clearer also with respect to law in
other countries.

Lawyers can make things sooo complicated.

Ralf