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From: "Patrick J. LoPresti" <patl AT users DOT sourceforge DOT net>
To: cygwin AT cygwin DOT com
Subject: Re: redistributing cygwin1.dll
References: <20030512155928 DOT 0f98d16f DOT khali AT linux-fr DOT org> <20030512142302 DOT GB23680 AT redhat DOT com> <20030512171354 DOT 1f851221 DOT khali AT linux-fr DOT org> <20030512174720 DOT GE25507 AT redhat DOT com> <s5g8ytb7mgx DOT fsf AT egghead DOT curl DOT com> <20030513012322 DOT GA4077 AT redhat DOT com>
Date: 13 May 2003 00:12:17 -0400
In-Reply-To: <mit.lcs.mail.cygwin/20030513012322.GA4077@redhat.com>
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Christopher Faylor <cgf-RCM AT cygwin DOT com> writes:

> Actually, I made a mental bet with myself that this message would
> draw you out.  You're pretty predictable.

I will try harder to behave randomly.

> >(I think you mean "sophomoric".  Yeah, I know, pointing out spelling
> >errors is sophomoric.)
> 
> http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/appeal-to-ridicule.html

I should not have said that.  I apologize.

It is somewhat ironic, though, that you responded to 2/3 of my message
with nothing more than links to things like "appeal-to-ridicule.html".
Too bad there's no "pot-kettle-black.html" on that site...

> I think it is a truly absurd question but, considering the source,
> it's to be expected.  Why should enforcement of a license be
> inconsistent?

For the same reason enforcement of any law should be inconsistent: If
the violator is doing more good than harm, they should be left alone.

Do you ever jaywalk?

> I already provided an indication of why I did this the last time you
> started spouting, before your attention wandered.  I have no
> intention of going into great detail again.

This is all I can find in the archives regarding your reasons:

    One thing is clear: we have to try to enforce the licensing or we
    will weaken our position if someone is so recalcitrant that they
    refuse to honor it.

And as I said the last time someone brought this up, that sounds like
the rationale for trademark enforcement.  I do not believe it applies
to copyright.  But I could be wrong; produce some evidence and I will
concede this entire argument.

> There is nothing specific about this situation which requires me to
> explain my deepest motives.

True.  But someone less sympathetic than I might conclude that you
merely derive pleasure from telling others what to do.

At least, it seems like part of you does.  Another part obviously
enjoys giving his work away for free.  You might be surprised to hear
this, but that altruistic part of you has both my respect and my
gratitude.  I just wish it would express itself more broadly.

> I think I've tried to be very consistent about insisting adherence
> to the rules.  The rules are not hard to understand and complying
> with them is not hard.

It is sufficiently hard that people ask about it and argue about it,
repeatedly.

Yes, you have been consistent.  But consistency is not always a
virtue.  I am suggesting, politely this time, that you reconsider your
position.  I am suggesting that you focus less on "the rules" and more
on the notions of benefit and harm.  Is the world really worse off if
someone distributes cygwin1.dll, for free, from their site?

Of course, I realize that you are unlikely to take my suggestion.  So
perhaps I will just become distracted again.

Cheers!

 - Pat

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