Re: [BUG] TortoiseSVN installer - GPL is not an EULA

2011-03-21 07:48 Dmitry <wipedout_at_yandex.ru>:
| Hey.
|
| 20.03.11, 12:01, "Jari Aalto" <jari.aalto_at_cante.net>:
|
| > There is one problem: a dialog box is presented requiring to accept
| > GPL license before the software can be installed. This is misleading
| > and incorrect use of GPL.
| How should the developer present the disclaimer then? That dialog
| present the GPL text along with the disclaimer. "I agree" mostly
| belongs to the disclaimer. The purpose of the disclaimer is to shield
| the developers from liability in case the program malfuncitons and
| causes any unintended negative consequences. How should such shielding
| be done without the "I agree"-kind click-through?

It's not about displaying. That's fine. The problem is "I agree".

You are not allowwed to deny user to install and use the software; as it
happens now. You *deny* the install if you don't select "I agree". GPL
forbids this kind of denial:

    "Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are not
    covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act of running
    the Program is not restricted,"

GPL is not an EULA, you don't need to agree anything GPL states, because
GPL is in the domain of copyright.

The Windows installer can handle GPL like this:

1) Show button "Next". No agreements.
2) remove the dialog altogether (the GPL is shipped with the software
anyway, so user can read it from there).

A fine handling of GPL example is from the Bzr project. See the pictures:

    http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.bazaar-ng.general/18002

P.S. "Bzr" is an official GNU project.

Jari

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Received on 2011-03-21 14:49:00 CET