The most interesting part about this dicussion is whether some vB hacks fall under GPL or not. I just downloaded vbXirc and had a quick look at the sources. Look at this:
Quote:
vBXirc 2.5.2 # ||
----------------------------------------------------------------
A Geeky Designs Production
Version 2.5.2 # ||
PHP Code by: Zachery # ||
Templates by: Zachery
This may not be redistributated without Geeky Designs Consent
Copyright 2003 - 2004 Geeky Designs
Not only does Zachery fail to mention the original copyright of PIRC, but he is in fact violating the original copyright. GPL clearly contains "constraints against constraints." Section two of the GPL allows for modifications and distribution of a GPL-licensed work if the licensee causes any work to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under the terms of the GPL. More so, if the licensee includes any GPL code in another program, the entire program becomes subject to the terms of the GPL. Violation of these restrictions may subject the offender to civil and criminal penalties for copyright infringement.
I am sure Zachery is not the only "criminal" here infringing copyrights. Moderators of this community should keep a closer eye on these important issues.
The most interesting part about this dicussion is whether some vB hacks fall under GPL or not. I just downloaded vbXirc and had a quick look at the sources. Look at this:
Not only does Zachery fail to mention the original copyright of PIRC, but he is in fact violating the original copyright. GPL clearly contains "constraints against constraints." Section two of the GPL allows for modifications and distribution of a GPL-licensed work if the licensee causes any work to be licensed as a whole at no charge to all third parties under the terms of the GPL. More so, if the licensee includes any GPL code in another program, the entire program becomes subject to the terms of the GPL. Violation of these restrictions may subject the offender to civil and criminal penalties for copyright infringement.
I am sure Zachery is not the only "criminal" here infringing copyrights. Moderators of this community should keep a closer eye on these important issues.
Did you look at the readme file?
the php code, and the templates ARE in fact my work.
the java applcation in fact, has NEVER been modified, and ITS copyrights INSIDE OF THE PROGRAM, remain intact.
vBXirc is designed to be modual, I can grab any java/flash based IRC program and toss it in there.
However, to end this argument, I will be removing vBXirc for vB2 and 3 and vBXWirc from the hacking community.
Zachery, you are using PIRC code (have a look at /forums/chat in the zip file you supply) and your product derives from it. Smart move to remove it though, to avoid legal trouble.
Zachery, you are using PIRC code (have a look at /forums/chat in the zip file you supply) and your product derives from it. Smart move to remove it though, to avoid legal trouble.
The only pjirc code, was the pjirc application, and personally I am not a lawyer and try to stay out of legal matters, but after reading the GPL a few times, I personally do not see how it falls into that category.
vBXirc will be re-released with a new system in a few months time pending all legal issues.
It's a tad ironic that at an idea meant to help the vB community is actually causing the community to split itself. What's worse is that even though it's obvious what affect this idea is having that the progenitors of it are totally ignoring those affects and, if anything, seem to be actually encouraging it. :ermm:
It's a tad ironic that at an idea meant to help the vB community is actually causing the community to split itself. What's worse is that even though it's obvious what affect this idea is having that the progenitors of it are totally ignoring those affects and, if anything, seem to be actually encouraging it. :ermm:
It is not the "idea" that is causing the community to split here, but whether or not GPL copyright should be respected.
It's a tad ironic that at an idea meant to help the vB community is actually causing the community to split itself. What's worse is that even though it's obvious what affect this idea is having that the progenitors of it are totally ignoring those affects and, if anything, seem to be actually encouraging it. :ermm:
That's not really the issue at hand here IMO. The issue is not regarding the law, it's the way the conduct of the members of vbhacks-germany.de constructed their request. I'm sure if redlabour had kindly asked Zachery to take his modification and translate it, instead of insisting that he could take it, regardless of what Zachery thinks, then Zachery would have kindly asissted. The same applies to me, I just don't like the way people were insisting they could take the work
The issue is not regarding the law, it's the way the conduct of the members of vbhacks-germany.de constructed their request.
That it not entirely true. The original request of vbhacks-germany.de brought up a new issue which is how GPL copyright-protected open-source should be handled in the case of vBulletin hacks.
That's not really the issue at hand here IMO. The issue is not regarding the law, it's the way the conduct of the members of vbhacks-germany.de constructed their request. I'm sure if redlabour had kindly asked Zachery to take his modification and translate it, instead of insisting that he could take it, regardless of what Zachery thinks, then Zachery would have kindly asissted. The same applies to me, I just don't like the way people were insisting they could take the work
Not true. Take a look at post #1 (question from redlabour) and post #2 answer of Zachery.
03-20-2005, 11:36 PM
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