[Squeakfoundation]Revocability (was: Sublicensing seems possible)

[Jimmie Houchin]

Jimmie Houchin wrote:
[snip]
> Yes, I/We understand that Apple could do something nice now and in the 
> future still attempt to revoke. But we would have further improved our 
> legal standing until such time.
> 
> I personally don't believe revocation is an issue. It would be bad for 
> Apple. I also believe if that day occurred there would be others with 
> attorneys who would help in court. A revocation precedent would affect 
> more than just the users of Squeak.

A thought I had regarding revocability of licenses.

Considering the foundation Apple has laid for OSX based on the Mach 
kernel of the BSD OS. It seems that it wouldn't be wise for them to try 
to kick open that door.

If that became legal reality, then copyright holders of individual 
pieces of code that Apple relies could be revoked by individual authors.
That could become an icky, sticky mess for Apple.

Apple would have much, much more to lose than they would have to gain.

They would actually gain more (potentially) by the friendly gesture of 
freeing up Squeak than by tying it down.

They really don't have any investment in Squeak anymore other than 
making sure it doesn't come back and bite them via lawsuits. So proper 
protection and indemnification is what they should want.

Just my opinions.

Jimmie Houchin