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What is the Best Way to Handle a GPL Violation?

Posted by Cliff on from the how-would-you-do-it dept.

DeadSea queries: "When you find that somebody is violating the GPL by distributing your code or a derivative of your code as a closed source product, how do you go about handling it? I have found two violations of the GPL for my Java Utilities, in the last month. The Free Software Foundation says that the copyright holder is the only person empowered to act. If you are the copyright holder, how do you communicate with the offenders? I know folks here must have dealt with this before: Linksys, SCO, Castle Technology, United Linux, and others. Personally, I would like to believe that with a little nudging (and without lawyers), I can resolve the things. As such, I would especially appreciate any example letters or other documents that might be effective."

4 of 511 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I hate to say it... by 110010001000 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Good idea. Now with the GPL you can not only not make any money, you can spend all yours on lawyers.

    I wonder why it is OK for lawyers to charge for their work and not OK for programmers to do so.

  2. Re:What is the Best Way to Handle a GPL Violation? by pantycrickets · · Score: 0, Troll

    Should I be worried that someone who can't differentiate between "site" and "sight" has a shoot first policy?

    Should I be worried that someone who can't differentiate between good humor and idiocy should be allowed to post to Slashdot? :)

  3. Do-it-yourself solutions to GPL violations by Ignorant+Aardvark · · Score: 0, Troll

    Headshot, castration by kitcken knife, spork lobotomy, manure immersal suffocation, tiger mauling, or the good old CowboyNeal intestinal yank ... all of these should prove sufficient for dealing with people who've committed GPL violations.

    --
    Cyde Weys Musings - Scrutinizing the inscrutable
  4. Stop Being a Pussy by XO · · Score: 0, Troll

    Stop being a fucking pussy, and get a lawyer. Sue their ass into oblivion. You want to show people the GPL is not the same as Public Domain? That's the way you do it. Get yourself a piece of the $ while you're at it. Do yourself, the public, and the open source/free software communities some GOOD.

    If you can prove it, get a lawyer, and take them on. Don't be a moron.

    --
    "Champagne for my real friends - and real pain for my sham friends!" http://ericblade.postalboard.com/