[sf-lug] Free software talk

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Steve M Bibayoff (bibayoff at gmail.com):

> Just a minor point/correction

OK, just a correction to your correction. ;->

> There are a couple of Free/Opensource Licenses that you CAN'T charge
> for (ie. Perl's Artistic License), but could charge a "Reasonable
> copying fee" for distribution.

Artistic License (a really bad licence, by the way) does _not_ put any
bar in the way of charging any amount whatsoever for selling the
software.  Nor does any other free-software licence.

You're thinking of money charged for access to matching _source_ code,
pursuant to distributors' giveback obligations under copyleft licences.
I worded what I wrote very carefully, to avoid getting into that.

The San Mateo businessmen asked (one gathers) whether they can sell free
software, if there's any limit to what they can charge, etc.  The
correct, simple answer is "Yes, you may charge whatever you want without
limit, though nothing prevents other people from undercutting your offer
with a more-compelling alternative, if it so suits them."