[ddutt@xxxxxxxxx]

Hi Ronnie,

Ronnie Sahlberg writes:
 > If that change is accepted and implemented I would like to add a request:
 > 
 > WHEN such an extenal plugin is loaded into ethereal, a small click-through
 > dialog would be displayed
 > stating something like "An external protocol decoder has now been loaded
 > into ethereal.
 > The ethereal developers can not provide any support or assistence for
 > problems or crashes you might encounter. After loading this module, if you
 > experience any problems with ethereal you should contact
 > whoever provided this module to you.  Do NOT report problems or ask for
 > troubleshooting help on any of the ethereal mailing lists. Thankyou."
I don't have a problem with this.

 > An observation: what use would that change acheive? I cant see any use
 > really.
I thought exactly the same. However, it appears that GPL makes the following
statement (in the preamble): "Finally, any free program is threatened
constantly by software patents. We wish to avoid the danger that redistributors
of a free program will individually obtain patent licenses, in effect making
the program proprietary. To prevent this, we have made it clear that any patent
must be licensed for everyone's free use or not licensed at all." 

While this language maybe ambiguous and debatable by all and sundry as to its
implications, what it implies is that by releasing a decoder under GPL, I
potentially cannot enforce my patent on my proprietary protocol. Lawyers are
unwilling to release decoders because of this restriction. 

I want companies to be able to release decoders for proprietary protocols for
all to use, not just internal company use. I know customers have asked for this
been refused owing to the language in GPL. 

Dinesh
-- 
Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
                                           - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe