On Thu, 20 Jan 2000, Rebeka Thomas wrote:
I just want you all to know that if/when i ever become an author [besides
fanfiction], my work will be licensed based on the GNU GPL. [go to
www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html and try and apply the concept to something
other then software] and anyone will be able to use it [that is, if i ever
write anything original.] even for profit!
First of all, when you think about it, the GPL is sort of an
anti-copyright form of copyright which preserves the spirit of "ownership"
in the sense that "someone" created "something" and that "something" is
open for people to make use of in any way they see fit.
While doing this for software stands to be a pretty good idea, save for
the current legal loophole discovered which allows proprietary usage of
the code... the use of the GPL in regards to writing, in my mind, is
something I'd personally not do. If I was going to GPL it, I might as well
make it public domain, especially if it is something I write. That way,
anyone can have it and sell it and do with it to their hearts content. :)
With the GPL, it tries to enforce that derivitive works be GPL'd also.
With Public Domain, it is open for your work, but people's derived works
don't have to be.
Btw, Rebeka, you might want to make sure you're not replying to everyone
in the To:, CC:, and Reply-To: portions of the header as that simply gives
some people multiple replies to the same email since they are subscribed
to the ML already.
Wing.