BGonline.org Forums

Is XG violating GNUBG GPL?

Posted By: Jack Mack
Date: Monday, 20 March 2017, at 3:53 a.m.

In Response To: Is XG violating GNUBG GPL? (Phil Simborg)

1. Before making an accusation of any kind of wrong-doing, particularly in a public forum....

Murat's original article in RGB was titled "XG / GNUBG resigning behavior coincidence or indication of GPL violation?" and it ended with "So, what do you all think, folks...??"

In order to not sound like I was making a different or stronger argument, I also titled my original post here "Is XG violating GNUBG GPL?" allowing you all to form your own conclusions and expressing that I was personally convinced enough by his article, as well as the example given in a different article titled "Clear beginner's error by XG in competition mode -- XG's programmers need to pay urgent attention." by Paul (Epstein??)

But, as we know, "accusing of falsely accusing" is a common strategy of defense/counter-offense...

"2....shouldn't the accuser first take his concerns directly to the accused and present him with his thoughts and possible evidence and give him a chance to respond?"

Why one would bother to ask if he won't believe the answer?

Now that you mentioned it, why don't you ask yourself?

"3. If it is true that XG somehow is using some code embedded from other programs, why is that "bad?" Is it illegal or immoral if that is the case?"

As far as I know, GPL allows borrowing/embedding/etc. (not sure of terminology) even by commercially sold software but then the source code for that software becomes GPL (i.e. available to public) also.

You guys are emoting like someone had asked Xavier to be jailed or hanged.

The only violation would be failing to make XG source code GPL also. That's all.

"But the bottom line, to me, as a user of XG, is that I don't care as long as I have a good tool to help my game."

This is sinking a little to low for my taste... :( Would you then gladly buy stolen/smuggled goods for cheap for youe own selfish reasons, even if it may be seen as illegal/unethical by the society?

What about your own gadgets and software? How would you feel if others stole your intellectual property for their own convenience/profit?

"4. Should Xavier be expected to step up and defend himself or offer proof against these claims? I think not, and I respect Xavier for not doing so",/I>

I agree that he doesn't need to for any legal reason but, unlike you, I don't respect him for not doing so. He could have done a big favor to his defenders by denying it himself in a few word and save you all so much time and effort. For some of us his silence is an indication that he can't/doesn't deny it.

On the other hand, GNUBG's "owners" may have a legal/moral duty to look into any possibilities and defend against any violations of their GPL..??