GPL issue

Howdy,

My first attempt at freelancing has gone like this.....

I see an add for someone needing a php programmer, I apply, he send me a "script" and some server details.

The "script" seems to have been directly ftp’d down from a working site, all the config.inc.php details are in place, there’s a trail of previous users, at least three, and even an address of someone who has registered a url to use the thing ( in the "backup" folder )

So I get to work ( I’m earning peanuts for this btw, trying to get my foot in the door ) and find that it’s a piece of antique freeware issued under the GPL.

Now as far as I can tell there has been a copywrite infringement as the "LICENCE.txt" was missing, as were the INSTALL.txt etc., etc.,

The website where the files came from is online without any coprwrite credits for the author of the script. The original authors site is offline, although I have have managed to procure a "clean" and more up to date version of the code.

Here’s the crunch, the guy who bought the script paid "hundreds" for it.

I think he deserves his money back.

Comments?

There is nothing to prevent anyone from charging money for GPL software. Anyone can set up a customized MODx site (or a Linux distribution), package it up and sell it. Removing the attributions is another matter.

Quote from: sottwell at Oct 08, 2006, 02:01 AM

Removing the attributions is another matter.

That is the angle I am looking at...... as in the guy that got ripped ( imho ), can ask for his money back due to the breach of license, casually mentioning lawyers in the flow of conversation.

Lawyers aren’t worth it until you reach the thousands or tens-of-thousands point, quite honestly. Small claims courts limitations in the US vary from state to state, but collecting on judgments can also be a frustrating exercise.