[oclug] Re: GPL and embedded linux

[Don Kelly]

On Sun, Jun 13, 2004 at 06:00:58PM -0400, Francis J. A. Pinteric wrote:
> 
> How does my imposing the condition upon you to distribute the Programme
> only to "green men from Alpha Centauri" violate the GPL?
> 

If you did this, you'd be in CLEAR violation of Section 6 of the GPL.

"Each time you redistribute the Program (or any work based on the Program) ... You may not impose any further restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein."
(from http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl.txt) 

This is one of the KEY requirements that the copyright holder using the GPL makes of you.  Interestingly, Section 6 also protects you when people you've distributed the software to attempt to do things like what you're proposing above...

Now, the only time where you COULD do this would be if you're the copyright holder in question.  In that case, the question is moot 'cause you can impose ANY distribution conditions you desire.

Don Kelly/