<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body ><div>I agree with all statements from William, but I would caution to reserve judgement of guilt. Tom could be investigating because somebody infringed his open source code? </div><div><br></div><div>I will say, there are some organizations such as the GNU Free Software Foundation which may pursue a violation on your behalf, if the code is protected under the GPS. </div><div><br></div><div>Best Regards</div><div>Scott M</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-size:75%;color:#575757">Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone</div></div><br><br><br>-------- Original message --------<br>From: William Yang <wyang@gcfn.net> <br>Date: 10/28/2013 6:23 PM (GMT-05:00) <br>To: Central OH Linux User Group - 432xx <colug-432@colug.net> <br>Subject: Re: [colug-432] Open Source <br> <br><br>On 10/27/2013 06:43 PM, tom wrote:<br>> Let's assume I take open source code after reading it's license and<br>> agreeing that any changes to it must be released as open source. I then<br>> modify the code, but then tack my own private license to it. How would I<br>> be punished for doing so?<br>><br>> Tom<br>> _______________________________________________<br>> colug-432 mailing list<br>> colug-432@colug.net<br>> http://lists.colug.net/mailman/listinfo/colug-432<br>><br><br>First, you need an attorney to explain copyright law to you, not a <br>technically oriented mailing list.<br><br>Second... the consequences are going to depend on who the copyright <br>holder actually is, the detailed license terms involved and what kind of <br>damage is being caused to the copyright holder by your infringement (in <br>the view of the copyright holder and, in turn, in the view of the courts).<br><br>Finally... copyright infringement can have fines paid to the government, <br>damages paid to the copyright holder, and could include jail time or <br>other sanctions by the courts. It's not a great idea, and it's a really <br>unwise to post on a public mailing list trying to figure this out. <br>That's a discoverable record of your plan to willfully infringe, which <br>as I understand it creates greater penalties.<br><br> -Bill<br>--<br>William Yang<br>wyang@gcfn.net<br>_______________________________________________<br>colug-432 mailing list<br>colug-432@colug.net<br>http://lists.colug.net/mailman/listinfo/colug-432<br></body>