Hacker News Reader

To hackers: please don't look through our code for GPL violations, because surely you'll find some. Hopefully no one finds all the code I copy/pasted from, or the documentation I learnt from.

To hackers: I used GPL software to compile this program, but I won't give you the same pleasure... you are not free to use my programs.

View on HN

Compilers licensed under the GPL do not transfer their license to their output. This is explicitly stated in the GPL.

That is almost true1, but completely misses the point.
They are using tools(gcc) by people who count on their honesty to give people the same freedom they are given.
Get a better business model. Software copying has been happening since the beginning(since before people were charging for software)... learn from history. People who still complain about copying software are very silly, they haven't learnt from over 50 years of history.

1 not a lawyer, however -- with certain compiler switches you can include GPL software with gcc. For example if you link in GPL covered object code.

The GPL: because what use is freedom if you can't control what people do with it.

what use is a gimp if you can't lock her away in your basement?

"or the documentation I learnt from..."

Because of course, whoever teaches you owns all the ideas you build thereafter.

No one ever owns ideas. It's true, look it up.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com