On 06/02/2011 13:53, Olin Lathrop wrote:
> Oli Glaser wrote:
>> I thought that under the terms of the GPL it was not legal to charge
>> for the code under that license but legal to charge for the cost of
>> distributing it or something along those lines (not sure what it says
>> about "unreasonable" distribution charges though)
> I thought the requirement was to provide the source code in buildable for=
m
> for free.  Last I looked there weren't any restrictions on what you can
> charge for fully built versions or anything else as long as someone can g=
et
> the code and build it for free.
>

That sounds about right.

>> I'm sure they have covered themselves legally, but legal doesn't
>> always equal ethical - the folk discussing it on the thread seem to
>> think it
>> was maybe a bit "cheeky", though as I said, I would have to look more
>> closely to come to any conclusion.
> I don't see anything unethical.  If you don't like the pre-built deal, go
> download the source and build it yourself.  Nobody is stopping you.
> Microchip is only providing a additional alternative for those that think
> it's worth it.  What is unethical about that?
>

There may be nothing unethical to see, but one would have to look more=20
closely and possibly have inside info to make any reasonable sort of=20
call. I was just musing on what I read, not making any accusations -=20
"out of order" was probably a bad choice of words.
As far as ethical goes, that's a difficult one - you have to begin by=20
defining what it actually means. Some have no problem with selling=20
things at extortionate prices, not "going out of their way" to mention=20
that you can get it free and so on (I'm not saying that's what is=20
happening here, but maybe..) - they would say it's not unethical to=20
"provide a service" "if you don't like it go elsewhere", that kind of=20
thing - basically taking the view that if it's legal, it's ethical.=20
Personally I think it is a little more complex than that, but to discuss=20
it fully would probably get too political for the list.
In any case, I get the feeling neither of us would budge much... :-)





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