Re: FSK vs. GPL

[Chris Purnell <cjp@oit.net>]

On Wed, Sep 22, 1999 at 09:01:41PM +0200, Philipp Gühring wrote:

> Let's assume, that the organisations in Germany will rate our
> new game called Defkon as non-suitable for people aged under 16.
> Does this violate the GPL?
> The GPL states that it has to be freely redistributable to everyone,
> including all children.

There is no such clause in the GPL.  The GPL works like this:
1. It grants you permission to redistribute and modify so long as
you abide by its terms and conditions.
2. One of the terms and conditions is that all copies and derived
works must be covered by the GPL.

The other important condition is that source code be made available.
So long as you include the source in every distribution you are not
obliged to distribute anything to anyone.

However should the GPL ever be in conflict with a law then section 7
applies.  And to quote: "If you cannot distribute so as to satisfy
simultaneously your obligations under this License and any other
pertinent obligations, then as a consequence you may not distribute
the Program at all."

-- 
Christopher John Purnell  | A friend in need's a friend in deed
http://www.lost.org.uk/   | A friend with weed is better
--------------------------| A friend with breasts and all the rest
What gods do you pray to? | A friend who's dressed in leather