Contribution agreements (Re: [sldev] What is the point of firstlook and giving feedback to LL)

Matthew Dowd matthew.dowd at hotmail.co.uk
Wed Apr 23 01:15:34 PDT 2008


> > Open-Source != Free Software
I don't think LL ever claimed that making the viewer Open-Source was making the viewer "free" (although admittedly LL's main revenue stream *isn't* from selling the viewer).
 
The GPL license is an interesting double edged sword - whilst its viral nature is motivated by the idea of keeping free software free, its viral nature also makes it the license of choice for a commercial company wanting to open source its software whilst preserving its exclusive ability to make money from that software. The owner of GPL'ed code is still free to make the software available under other licenses (e.g. paid for licenses) if they wish, but the viral nature of GPL means they can prevent anyone else making money from derivatives apart from by special arrangement (e.g. paying royalties)!
 
Matthew
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