[Fsf-friends] Re: [ilug-goa] My thoughts on the IP and Software

[Richard Stallman]

  > My thoughts on the IP and Software

If you want to think clearly, you must avoid the term "IP".
"Intellectual property" is a biased term which also lumps together
copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other different
laws.  These laws are so different that they have nothing in common.
Their effects are different, too.

Based on what this article *says* about "IP", I think the author
really has in mind the issue of copyrights and to some extent that of
trade secrets.  However, by using the term "IP", he makes the
statements cover patents as well.  This makes the statements extremely
misleading, since the actual effect of software patents is completely
different from what he describes.

Aside from that, we fundamentally disagree with his views on
distributing non-free software.  He thinks that restricting the users
can be justified by a desire to make money.  We disagree: respecting
other people's freedom and community is more important than profits.
If you can make money while respecting other people's freedom and
community, and other ethical imperatives, more power to you.  But
you're not entitled to trample those things for your own gain.