From: Richard Stallman To: Steve Parker Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2001 05:55:14 -0700 (MST) Subject: Re: Clarification of GPL for user article Scenario 1) I modify GPL code - eg emacs - to suit my own needs, purely to use the modified binary on my own system. I never intend, and never do, distribute this in any form. My own interpretation of the GPL is that I am free to do this. That is correct. In fact, this is one of the freedoms that are part of the definition of Free Software (see http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html). Scenario 2) I modify GPL code - eg a CGI library - to suit my own needs for use on a publicly-available web server. This code is being run, by the general public, on my web server. Should I, in this case, make the code available? Under the GPL, must I? The GPL does not require it. But is not very good for the community when people do this, so I am looking at a way that GPL 3 could require publication in this case.