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MAME To Become GPL?

Posted by timothy on from the would-be-nice dept.

BigJimSlade writes "The 'What's New' file for the latest release of the Multi Arcade Machine Emulator (or MAME, as it is more affectionately known) states that the developers/maintainers are considering re-licensing the not-so-open source code under the GPL/LGPL. Currently the source is under a slightly restrictive licence that prevents modifications to certain areas of code from being redistributed. (L)GPL source for this project would be quite a boon for devlopers, who could reuse the CPU cores and other key components in other OSS projects."

6 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Will we have to call it.. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    ..GNU/MAME ?

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:Will we have to call it.. by BlueGecko · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, while the FSF has not proposed that name, Microsoft proposed one very similar, although they spelled it incorrectly as "MAIM GNU."

    2. Re:Will we have to call it.. by Gridle · · Score: 5, Funny
      RMS already calls it "NAME". I'm not kidding.
      From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
      Subject: Re: MAME going GPL!?
      Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 00:41:15 -0400

      I hope they change the license of NAME, because the current license is not free. It is also self-contradictory.

      [lengthy bit about the word "free" that is pointless to reproduce here]
      Maybe it's the viral nature of GPL. The mere thought of moving to GPL makes you lose all control. ;-)
  2. Clearly the GPL *IS* viral! by Dawn+Keyhotie · · Score: 5, Funny
    Clearly the GPL must be a virus, a cancer, a Pac-Man! What else could explain the continuing barrage of both open and proprietary software converting to the GPL/LGPL? Is RMS twisting their arms? Holding their children for ransom? Asking too many rhetorical questions?


    Hah! You never heard of a software package spontaneously converting from GPL to the revered and exalted Windows EULA, have you? Proof that Windows is NOT viral, cancerous, or Pac-Man, and is therefore infinitely superior! So There, GPL weenies!


    Now I will prove which cup contains the Iocaine powder! [sip] Bwahahahahaha! Bwahahahahaha! Erk...

    --
    "The only good windmill is a tilted windmill."
  3. The best thing about this by vslashg · · Score: 2, Funny

    It'll be bad news for the video game companies if MAME is re-released under the GPL. Loading a video game ROM into MAME is just like linking, and since the GPL is viral...

    Woo hoo! Cough up the Pac Man sources, Namco!

    (Heh.)

  4. INSTANT PETITION! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear Taito, Bally, et. al.:

    We the unwashed communistic undersigned readers of slashdot do hereby beseech you to give us, for no consideration whatsoever, financial or otherwise, the right to freely copy certain items of intellectual property belonging to your companies. We understand that this would create a precedent for public ownerships and should future derivative works appear you will not be entitled to one cent of income, but we like getting stuff for free - we don't believe in intellectual property, and you know we'll just copy your shit anyway. So go on, give in to the inevitable.

    (print, sign and mail)