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Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 23:52:05 +0000
From: Andrew Walrond <andrew@walrond.org>
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Subject: Re: Why is Nvidia given GPL'd code to use in non-freedrivers?
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Richard Stallman wrote:
> 
> The GNU/Linux system is pretty large.  For that matter, GCC and Linux
> are pretty large.  So I think you're simply underestimating what we
> can do ethically, as an excuse for doing it the usual grabbing way.
> 

Indeed. And the important large like gcc and glibc have substantial 
corporate sponsorship without which they would be dead in the water.
Grabbing from the grabbers?

> 
> Meanwhile, people have already pointed out that there are ways to
> raise money for some kinds of free software projects.  From what I
> hear about game product cycles, you might be able to make the game
> free after a year without losing much in sales.
>

So If I spend $X developing my game and then sell it closed with the 
stated intention of opening the source as soon as it has recouped a 
reasonable return on my investment, this would get your official seal of 
approval?

But isn't this exactly what Andre has been lambasted for? Perhaps you 
should step in and say a few words in his defence.

> But if that doesn't work for you, I would not consider it a great loss
> for the world if your products were not produced.  They contribute
> something to the world if they are free software, but otherwise not.

Perhaps not. But my 40 software developing staff are still going to be 
mightily pissed when I don't make payroll.

Richard, you started out with some noble priciples, but seem to have 
become a little confused somewhere along the way. The 'Don Quixote' 
hacker knight ;)

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