22 Apr
2003
22 Apr
'03
2:31 p.m.
On Tue, 22 Apr 2003, Jon Bright wrote:
And the answer is: if it isn't, neither is the (L)GPL. Why would MS not be able to place restrictions on distribution of their own copyrighted code?
No, the (L)GPL places no restrictions on how you use the code. In fact, it is essential for the existance of competition that we have no such restrictions: what if Ford tells you how to use your car? Or where to fix it? Or what tires to put on?
That's why interfaces are not patentable, to allow interoperation of things. But this assumes you can't place limits on usage, otherwise you could demand that you sue ceratin things only with certain implementations of some interfaces, and that would be equivalent to patenting the interface itself.
--
Dimi.