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Bill Gates On the GPL — "We Disagree"

Posted by timothy on from the doesn't-that-mean-disagreeing-with-copyright dept.

Dionysius, God of Wine, writes with a link to an Ars Technica story, quoting Bill Gates: "'There's free software and then there's open source' he suggested, noting that Microsoft gives away its software in developing countries. With open source software, on the other hand, 'there is this thing called the GPL, which we disagree with.' Open source, he said, creates a license 'so that nobody can ever improve the software,' he claimed, bemoaning the squandered opportunity for jobs and business. (Yes, Linux fans, we're aware of how distorted this definition is.) He went back to the analogy of pharmaceuticals: 'I think if you invent drugs, you should be able to charge for them,' he said, adding with a shrug: 'That may seem radical."

2 of 778 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Make something for free by SerpentMage · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Hey I am glad you mentioned doctorswithoutborders...

    Did you know...
    http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/volunteer/field/personnel.cfm?id=2531
    *************
    Benefits Offered to MSF Field Staff
    Accommodation in New York City and Europe during briefings and debriefings

    Starting monthly salary of $1300 gross

    Comprehensive medical, disability and life insurance coverage

    Round-trip transportation

    Room and board in project country

    Per diem during assignment in local currency

    Reimbursement of mission-specific vaccinations

    Letter of support for student loan deferment

    Payment of interest on student loans after first field assignment and for six months thereafter
    *************

    Did you happen to read the bit about the money? Or how about the bit where you get room and board, and insurance, and a host of other benefits.

    Gee does that mean Open Source and its problems were accurately pinpointed by Bill Gates... Hmmm...

    --

    "You can't make a race horse of a pig"
    "No," said Samuel, "but you can make very fast pig"
  2. Re:Not radical to charge, just greedy. by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 0, Offtopic

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    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."