now THAT is cool. do you mind if i borrow this... i'm writing some stuff in my book about why the GPL actually makes you better off than proprietary. the other thing is you never get tied into exclusive licenses. if a publisher prints my book, i still have the right to go away and get someone else to print it, or print it myself. i retain my rights by using a Free license. nice fringe benefit when some authors have had their books printed, not marketed properly and when they've wanted to get the rights back to sell it to another publisher they've found theyre in a 2 year or more contract. i believe the fundamental reason why the FSF has been so successful, where other Free Software ventures failed, is that RMS is very shrewd with money, and shrewd in setting up infrastructures. he's always got a clever idea for how you could build a system like this that actually contributes back to the Free Software community. he told me he hates the idea of 'business models' - but to compete in that sort of a world, he's been very clever with investment, charging for software where necessary, and obtaining grants and awards for his work. we could learn a lot from him. m~ Michal Seta wrote: > Here's a little scenario, mostly just for me to make sure I understand > these concepts. I've been glancing at various free licenses lately and > this discussion comes at a right time. > > Here it goes: > > I set up a website with some music on it in .mp3 and/or .ogg format. I > can even throw in a .pdf file with the CD cover/label for any DIY kind > of folks. The music and artwork is available under a free license such > as Frank is suggesting, basically derived from or based on GPL. > > In that sense, anyone can download the music and do with it whatever > they pleases them. I could, optionally, set up a paypal link and ask > for donations. At the same time, I could offer physical CDs for a small > fee (production and shipping) which could be somewhere around 5$. > > Now, some music giant, say Sony Music digs my work (yeah, right...) and > they go 'Oh, we can distribute this guy's work and make millions off him > without paying him a cent!' But they have to include my license > agreement with their product, my artwork (on which I have my contact > info) etc. They ship all that to stores and, suppose they're feeling > really generous and they sell it for 15$. And they make a massive > advertising campaign (they have to if they want to do millions, > right?). How many people will actually buy it if they see that they can > download it for free (and perhaps leave 1$ on my paypal account) or > order a CD for 5$? > > Suppose there is someone who went to the store and bought the thing but > later s/he realized that ripping the CD and sharing it is within his/her > rights. > > I don't see how anyone could make money on this... Even if you > substitute the giant with some small label. > > And why would I be unable to charge money for _my_ work, even if it was > distributed by a 3rd party is beyond me. If they distribute it, they > have to do it on the terms of my license so they cannot claim exclusive > distribution rights. > > If, on the other hand, Sony Music hands my CD to some hot shot producer > and they use it, sample it, modify it and sell a billion, they still > have to credit me and make all derivatives under the same license. I > can't see them stepping into that. And if they do, my name will be all > over it anyways, so I get free publicity. > > In either case I'm a winner. > > If none of the above happens, I'm still distributing to a handful of > souls who actually connect with what I do, and I'm still happy. From > time to time I'll do a show. Even if I get old I'll be able to do shows > because prancing on stage is not my thing anyways :) > > ... or did I get it all wrong...? > > -- ./MiS > _ > __ __ (_)___ Michal Seta > / \/ \ _/^ _| > / V |_ \ @creazone.32k.org > (___/V\___|_|___/ > http://www.[creazone]|[noonereceiving].32k.org > > > > > > > > > > -- |\ _,,,---,,_ ZZZzz /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ HTTP 503: Too Busy |,4- ) )-,_. ,\ ( `'-' '---''(_/--' `-'\_) fL "Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will piss on your computer." -- Bruce Graham Musicians say No to RIAA Persecution and Prosecution of Music Lovers! Sign the petition at http://www.copyleftmedia.org.uk/justsayno/ .::. www.iriXx.org .::. www.copyleftmedia.org.uk .::.
