This entire comment thread is missing the point.
By releasing this library at no charge, the author is valuing his software at zero dollars. Downstream users accept his offer.
There is no story here.
By releasing this library at no charge, the author is valuing his software at zero dollars. Downstream users accept his offer.
There is no story here.
There is no stigma to being a parasite so that’s what people do, with justifications as above. Just because it isn’t legally required doesn’t mean it is ethical to not do it.
This is the author choosing to work for free (which is fine), wanting to get paid (which is fine, and I do suggest he does charge for his software), and this thread making up an alleged ethical obligation to pay for something which has a price tag of zero.
1. Not a commentary on the quality if F/OSS, which I love.
If funding suddenly materializes for this developer as a result of this email, will you search for a bug in your worldview?