note by Charles Stanhope

Charles Stanhope at 2016-11-02T12:45:50Z

I like this characterization. I think I'll use it from now on.

"GPL has the Midas touch — anything it touches becomes gold."

From a comment on Wix developer Tal Kol's statement about using GPL code in their proprietary iOS app.

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That's a great comparison =)

JanKusanagi @identi.ca at 2016-11-02T13:42:32Z

The problem with that quote is that it implies there's something magic about the GPL, when we know there's not.

Choosing to include a GPL component in a proprietary product just puts you in breach of the license; it doesn't change your product in any way. At that point you can choose to remove the component, replace the component, stop distributing your product or change your license. If you choose to use this software, you simply have to respect the license.

Ben Sturmfels at 2016-11-02T22:34:39Z

This Wix case specifically bothers me so much. The GPL component they chose to include in their proprietary app was based on an MIT component that did the same thing. They could have entirely legally included the MIT component in their proprietary app, but they clearly chose the GPL one for convenience or some other reason. This entire issue would have been avoided if they had simply understood the licenses of the software they were including, instead of just ignoring them.

Benjamin Cook at 2016-11-02T22:53:36Z

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@Ben Sturmfels I agree with you. My thought about the quote was to use it in situations where people otherwise characterize the GPL with the words "viral" or "restrictive" (or whatever other negative connotations). I considered it a more of tongue-in-cheek response in those situations. Of course, I suppose the story of Midas is actually a tragic one, so perhaps not the best idea.

Charles Stanhope at 2016-11-02T23:14:34Z

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