bug#50446: Emacs FAQ entry "What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?" still relevant?

From: Stefan Kangas <stefan@marxist.se>
To: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
Cc: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi@gnus.org>, 50446@debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: bug#50446: Emacs FAQ entry "What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?" still relevant?
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2021 08:43:54 +0200	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <CADwFkmnbqev7e=oC2oFzwG=LGEfTCB2V3eBHgcS+a90Ph28Jfw@mail.gmail.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <E1mOXPm-0005qs-BQ@fencepost.gnu.org>

Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org> writes:

> Thanks.  Would you please show me what that item says now?
>
> Where can I find the source code of this?  What repo, what file?

commit 8da1f03151f6b98d349fa8eb169514fd1f4bbe02
Author: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi@gnus.org>
Date:   Thu Sep 9 15:19:56 2021 +0200

    Remove the "Real meaning of copyleft" node in efaq

    * doc/misc/efaq.texi (Real meaning of copyleft): Remove the
    section (bug#50446).
    (Common acronyms): Add a link to the GNU site's page about licenses.

diff --git a/doc/misc/efaq.texi b/doc/misc/efaq.texi
index 9b8fc86508..d5d1eb5e65 100644
--- a/doc/misc/efaq.texi
+++ b/doc/misc/efaq.texi
@@ -294,6 +294,9 @@ Common acronyms
 @item GPL
 GNU General Public License

+See @uref{https://gnu.org/licenses/, the GNU web site} for more
+information about the GPL.
+
 @end table

 The word ``free'' in the title of the Free Software Foundation refers to
@@ -312,7 +315,6 @@ General questions
 Free Software Foundation, and related organizations.

 @menu
-* Real meaning of copyleft::
 * Guidelines for mailing list postings::
 * Mailing list archives::
 * Reporting bugs::
@@ -320,36 +322,6 @@ General questions
 * Contacting the FSF::
 @end menu

-@node Real meaning of copyleft
-@section What is the real legal meaning of the GNU copyleft?
-@cindex Copyleft, real meaning of
-@cindex GPL, real meaning of
-@cindex General Public License, real meaning of
-@cindex Discussion of the GPL
-
-The real legal meaning of the GNU General Public License (copyleft) will
-only be known if and when a judge rules on its validity and scope.
-There has never been a copyright infringement case involving the GPL to
-set any precedents.  Although legal actions have been brought against
-companies for violating the terms of the GPL, so far all have been
-settled out of court (in favor of the plaintiffs).  Please take any
-discussion regarding this issue to
-@uref{https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss, the
-gnu-misc-discuss mailing list}, which was created to hold the
-extensive flame wars on the subject.
-
-RMS writes:
-
-@quotation
-The legal meaning of the GNU copyleft is less important than the spirit,
-which is that Emacs is a free software project and that work pertaining
-to Emacs should also be free software.  ``Free'' means that all users
-have the freedom to study, share, change and improve Emacs.  To make
-sure everyone has this freedom, pass along source code when you
-distribute any version of Emacs or a related program, and give the
-recipients the same freedom that you enjoyed.
-@end quotation
-
 @node Guidelines for mailing list postings
 @section  What are appropriate messages for the various Emacs mailing lists?
 @cindex Mailing lists, appropriate messages for




