Re: [DotGNU]Propoganda starts at home...

[Bradley M. Kuhn]

David Sugar <address@hidden> wrote:

> Because the runtime (virtual machine) code can be easily rendered into a
> readable source much like Java (albiet missing identifiers) there is
> some risk that if one has used a .net system when it exists, that one
> might have looked at and de-compiled these files to create compatible
> libraries.  It is hard to prove that didn't occur per se, much like what
> could theoretically happen to Wine and Samba if, say, someone
> deliberately leaked MS code.

Indeed, this is a grave concern.  It's clear that Microsoft is trying to
stamp out the GPL.  And, there are now some Microsoft licensing floating
about that claim you are forbidden to develop GPL'ed software with them.

I think Microsoft would likely lose in court with such a license, but we
don't want the legal battle.  It's best to develop DotGNU with just the
publicly available ECMA specification documents, and be rigorous about it,
so no developer ever has to touch Microsoft software.


--
Bradley M. Kuhn, Vice President
Free Software Foundation     |  Phone: +1-617-542-5942
59 Temple Place, Suite 330   |  Fax:   +1-617-542-2652
Boston, MA 02111-1307  USA   |  Web:   http://www.gnu.org

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