> > What I do not value is lots of discussions of licenses, when I am not sure
> > why they help us (either as Squeak developers, or as people in general).
> > What good can come from us serving the licenses rather than the licenses
> > serving us?
>
> We probably all feel the same way.  However, software licenses, small
> and flimsy as they seem when you get down to it, are all that stand in
> the way of things like pirating MS Windows, downloading Buffy episodes
> that weren't played in the US, or copying a Madonna cassette for a
> friend to listen to without buying it.
>
> Oh, wait....
>
> Seriously, if we want business to have a chance of getting involved,
> then we need to have our legal groundwork solid.  Then again, it doesn't
> matter for people who just want to explore an incredible idea together.

I'm not sure I agree with that.  Software licenses are only a legal
vehicle to some kind of enforcement.  Licenses are a tool that enables a
court battle.

Licenses don't protect us.  Having access to good legal council does.  If
a record label sues me or gets the government to prosecute me, I would be
doomed because I wouldn't be able to afford the council that could defend
me effectively, whether I was right or not.  The same holds true if some
wealthy company comes around and steals my idea.

Is it excessively naive for us to do things with good intentions and
simply retain a good lawyer?  I would think a good lawyer would be worth
far more than a good license.

-Eric