Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Zimmermann Suggests Freeing PGP Source

Posted by timothy on from the like-the-wind dept.

broody writes "NewsForge has an interesting article detailing Phillip R Zimmermann's lament at selling PGP. Since he cannot afford to buy it back outright, he is pushing for Network Associates to 'open source' it. Well, the GUI and SDK anyway. I'll say this, he's an interesting little capitalist."

2 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. Umm. by MisterBlister · · Score: 1, Redundant
    Maybe he should have thought about that before selling it?

    Considering Network Associates isn't developing it further, I somewhat see his point, but I don't see how he really has a say in the matter.

  2. Who is kidding who? by Woodrow+Stool · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I always find this kind of subject amazing. Examine the realities of the situation:

    (1) If the author has given the source away in the past, there is little commercial gain to be had by someone selling a compiled binary. Ergo, Network Associates can't make a go of it.

    (2) If a commercial company (with money in the bank) owns the IP to a piece of software there is no (repeat, NO) incentive to release the source or the binary for free. Why you ask? Because some slimebag somewhere will sue their ass if they think (1) they've been wronged, and (2) the IP owner has money in the bank. This is less of a risk of you are selling the IP, too much risk if you are giving it away.

    C'mon guys, and Phil, wise up.