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On 22 Sep 2003 at 15:52, Ian Clarke wrote:
As per my previous email, I share your strong opposition to this amendment despite the fact that I am (obviously) a big supporter of free software.
Well I am a strong supporter of free software, it's just I oppose GPL software because it's not free software. And besides, there are types of free software you can sell (eg; one where limitations on copying/derivation etc are temporary).
Our argument has been that software patents are an assault on innovation generally. This amendment is basically saying "Its ok to assault innovation - provided you don't assault *our* innovation". This amendment is extremely divisive and just proposing it will alienate the majority of those that support the anti-swpat movement - myself included, as it suggests that the free software community cares more about its own ability to innovate, even if this is at the expense of the rest of the software community.
I completely agree. Unfortunately the history of free software shows that some of its leaders are very fond of creating division and I personally don't like how the GPL is supposed to be the leading license of the free software movement when it's not free software.
But, this is entirely another thread, and I really should be doing some programming!
Cheers, Niall