On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 03:25:47 PST, David Schwartz said: > So how is running the program infringement of a license that clearly sa ys > executing is unrestricted? How do you execute without copying into RAM? The copy into RAM has its own exemption in 17 USC 117(a)(1): Sec. 117. - Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs (a) Making of Additional Copy or Adaptation by Owner of Copy. - Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided: (1) that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or You're intentionally being obtuse. NOTHING IN THE GPL CONTROLS WHAT YOU DO WITH IT ON YOUR MACHINE. You're *totally* free to write the most non-GPL-compliant code and run it. What you're NOT allowed to do is then DISTRIBUTE the resulting code to others.