[kwlug-disc] Microsoft Did Steal Open Source Code for USB/DVD Tool - SuperSite Blog

[Chris Frey]

On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 03:21:31PM -0500, Lori Paniak wrote:
> It is unfortunate that, by breaching the GPL, MS (or anyone else) can
> generate good-will.  If I breach a contract, I would expect to be asked
> to pay damages of some sort.  Even if the breach does not result in
> demonstrable financial damages (eg. loss of income), there is the
> possibility of punitive damage.
> 
> Entities that violate the GPL should have to pay real monetary
> penalties- if only to remind them not to do so again in the future.


Releasing the source is a much cheaper solution in the long run.
Trying to extract a penalty will likely only enrich the lawyers.

At least this way, there's a new Free Software tool in existence.
And isn't that the ultimate goal of the GPL in the first place?

In this case, permission and forgiveness are both pretty easy.
Which is how it should be.  It is Microsoft's way that is the hard one:
the way of fees, penalties, lawsuits, and grief.  And the more people
realize that, the better.

- Chris