Re:What do you do about [L]GPL violators of your c
Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on October 06, 2004 03:58 PM
You really ought to do something about this. If most of the perpetrators are at one particular institution, you probably want to write to the Institute's head and cc it to the Institute's lawyers. Point out that wilful copyright theft is both a criminal offence, and academic fraud.
And then, as far as you can WITHOUT identifying any perpetrators, point out that it is rife amongst their employees. Ask them (I really mean "order them"<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-) to read the riot act to their employees, and give an undertaking (that is, you give the Institution a guarantee) that you will not take any further steps providing they abide by the licence - which allows for free use provided they don't plagiarise the software!
If it's a few individuals in an institution, I would have thought a polite letter (preferably from a lawyer) pointing out that they are committing a criminal and fraudulent offence would be enough. Point out that if such behaviour continues you have little option but to report them to their Principal for fraud, and to the authorities for copyright theft. Again, give them a guarantee that if they stick by the licence in future then you will drop the matter.
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Re:What do you do about [L]GPL violators of your c
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on October 06, 2004 03:58 PMAnd then, as far as you can WITHOUT identifying any perpetrators, point out that it is rife amongst their employees. Ask them (I really mean "order them"<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-) to read the riot act to their employees, and give an undertaking (that is, you give the Institution a guarantee) that you will not take any further steps providing they abide by the licence - which allows for free use provided they don't plagiarise the software!
If it's a few individuals in an institution, I would have thought a polite letter (preferably from a lawyer) pointing out that they are committing a criminal and fraudulent offence would be enough. Point out that if such behaviour continues you have little option but to report them to their Principal for fraud, and to the authorities for copyright theft. Again, give them a guarantee that if they stick by the licence in future then you will drop the matter.
Cheers,
Wol
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