[LINK] Oracle & Open Source

[Roger Clarke]

At 12:47 +1000 4/8/06, Deus Ex Machina wrote:
>it goes to the heart of the question as to wether gpl software can 
>be used as a
>foundation for a business. what elisson is saying is no it doesnt. he has
>no interest in buying red hat because he can just take the code for free. ...

Ellison might say that for several reasons, including:
(1)  it's true;
(2)  he doesn't want to admit the real reason;
(3)  he tried to buy it and didn't manage to;
(4)  ...

I agree that (1) has to be seriously considered, but I'd hesitate to 
rely on an argument from the authority of 'what big Larry said'.

-- 
Roger Clarke                  http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/

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Visiting Professor in Info Science & Eng  Australian National University
Visiting Professor in the eCommerce Program      University of Hong Kong
Visiting Professor in the Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre      Uni of NSW