The Industry choice

[Terry Reedy]

"Bulba!" <bulba at bulba.com> wrote in message 
news:nocrt0119cncjco13l63l9d5nfeimk5820 at 4ax.com...
> Which I find again wrong: suppose this developer used GPL-ed
> library A, developed patches B and C. He provided you with
> the source code of publicly available library A and a patch
> C, but he doesn't want to release patch B.

Then he does not have to.  As I understand the GPL, as long as he does not 
release (distribute) the patch in any form (in particular, binary), then 
the GPL has no effect.

What strikes me as funny about GPL sniping is that many programmers, 
including I am sure some of the snipers, sign Terms of Employment contracts 
far more restrictive of their freedom than one could possibly accuse the 
GPL of being.  But I have seen little or no discussion of this (at least on 
clp).  In fact, I wonder if the GPL might be a substitute target.

Terry J. Reedy