Comment Free Software is Free Software, gvrnmnts be damned (Score 1) 300
The GPL does not recognise trade embargoes. The GPL does not support information hoarding.
I feel we should be looking at this the other way around-- Not, "Can we distribute software in light of US regulations?" but, "Is the US government attempting to violate the license?" That is, are they trying to restrict access to GPL'd software. This regulation does seem to restrict access to GPL'd software, and so we simply cannot recognise it.
By the same token, people have suggested perhaps it would be better not to offer software to certain countries for political reasons. We do not have that option. Free Software is Free Software, and you can't restrict anyone's access to it, ever.
I feel we should be looking at this the other way around-- Not, "Can we distribute software in light of US regulations?" but, "Is the US government attempting to violate the license?" That is, are they trying to restrict access to GPL'd software. This regulation does seem to restrict access to GPL'd software, and so we simply cannot recognise it.
By the same token, people have suggested perhaps it would be better not to offer software to certain countries for political reasons. We do not have that option. Free Software is Free Software, and you can't restrict anyone's access to it, ever.
