Software licenses and releasing Python programs for review

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Sat, 28 May 2005 16:48:44 -0700, poisondart wrote:

> The reason why I need people to review my code and also the ideas
> behind the code is mostly for academic interest...but not necessarily
> reserved to an academic audience...which is why I don't want people to
> make profit from it. It uses ideas from a language--which would be
> ridiculous (to me) for anybody to make profit from selling the
> mechanics of a natural language.

Let me toss some scenarios out there for you to think about.

You write your code, and distribute it for free. Very generous of you. I
publish for profit a computer magazine which includes a CD containing
software. I would like to include your code. Can I?

My colleague Betty compiles collections of software, tests them, weeds
out the buggy and useless programs, documents the ones that remain, and
sells the collection for profit. She would like to include your code on
her CD. Can she?

My competitor Barney tries to start a business selling your code for
profit. How long do you think he will stay in business trying to sell
what you are making available for free on your website?

My neighbour Bobby creates a game which he sells for profit. This game
includes a natural language engine allowing the game characters to
(almost) understand real language. He would like to use your code to do
this. Can he?

My business partner Billy wants to sell servers for profit. On this
server, he wants to include a collection of software for added value. He
would like to include your software. Can he?



Regards,



-- 
Steven