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GPL May Not Work In German Legal System

Posted by timothy on from the well-the-german-law-forest-at-least dept.

erbse2 writes "It may be that the (L)GPL can not be (fully) enforced under German jurisdiction. This is at least the conclusion professor Gerald Spindler of the jurisprudential faculty of the University of Goettingen came to when he examines the Legal questions of the open source software (It's long, it's complex and it's in German and it's written by a professor, so don't expect to understand anything, if you are not a German lawyer). Heise News has the article in German, however, the fish may be with you. IANAL, however, as one can put some of the legal problems aside, most of the concerns mentioned in there should provoke at least some thought by brave men around RMS."

6 of 434 comments (clear)

  1. No problem! by jsse · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's long, it's complex and it's in German and it's written by a professor, so don't expect to understand anything, if you are not a German lawyer

    We'd not read it even when it's short, simple and in English, so how hard could it be. :)

  2. In other news by borgdows · · Score: 4, Funny

    SCO's CEO, Darl Mac Bride, has just declared that the SCO company will move to Frankfurt, Germany, and will be renamed FGO (Frankfurt Germany Operation).

  3. good babel quotes by I+Want+GNU! · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't generally understand long, complex, legal arguments in German, but the astounding Fish translates it perfectly. Here are a couple quotes:

    "Employers could go on thin ice, if they pay coworkers for the letter of open SOURCE often commodity."

    "Even if one can argue perhaps over or other detail the study, then she calls many problems nevertheless with the name."

  4. finally by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...a reason to learn German. And finally a real reason to post b4 reading the FA.

  5. babelfish translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    ACHTUNG!!!
    Das machine is nicht fur gefingerpoken und mittengrabben. Ist easy
    schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und corkenpoppen mit
    spitzensparken. Ist nicht fur gewerken by das dummkopfen. Das
    rubbernecken sightseeren keepen hands in das pockets. Relaxen und vatch
    das blinkenlights!!!


    ehh.. I think babelfish has been on the crack pipe again

  6. Hourra! by borgdows · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's long, it's complex and it's in German and it's written by a professor, so don't expect to understand anything, if you are not a German lawyer

    I AM a German lawyer and it is the FIRST article I have understood on Slashdot!