Hi all. This is from a newbie to XOOPS and I don't even care to get into any legal ramifications about this. Not that I don't care, but because I can forsee what will happen, as what happens with any module that is out there public source.
1) Module goes public. Now anyone can download it and use it. With or without support. Depends on how knowledgable you are.
2) Those who have questions about it, how it works, and problems that may arise with it, will post their questions to the boards here or elsewhere, and hopefully someone will answer their question.
3) Some will ask, "Hey, Is there a way to do "this" or include "that" to this module. Someone will find a hack for it, or add code, and post it. Module developed more so. BUT...Not re-released as an updated version of said module, however. Yet those who want this add on or revision now have an updated version made public..so to speak, because of a public post about it and their implementation of how to do it.
I don't have a problem with anyone asking or requiring "donated" money in order to receive services early along with full support. Anyone who thinks of an idea, commissions someone knowledgable enough to implement the changes needed, pays said person to do this has the "right" to do this. This is America, where we live in a "free" society. No "free beer" tho, unless you know the owner of the establishment.
Interpreting the GPL is for lawyers, not us. IF someone wants to challenge what is being done, then go through the expense of hiring a lawyer, talk to him/her and see if what is being done is illegal. NONE of us who are not experienced lawyers in this field know for sure.
As far as banning from a site that may have updates, support, guides, whatever... that is the owner of that site's "right" also. NO ONE call tell me who I want to have as members. Legally, I guess if there is a pay service for the entire site or parts of it, and you enter in a "contract", then unless that "contract" is violated, said owner can't do this, but if it's "free", meaning no cost and you haven't entered a contract, then said owner can tell you to take a hike. But as I mentioned above, support will be elsewhere soon. And upgrades will follow.
The bottom line for me as an end user only, while I learn this CMS, is that I KNOW if I download any module, I WILL get SUPPORT somewhere in time, will be able to have questions about it answered, and enjoy the features of it as well as others time, effort, possibly monetary value all for "free". This time "free" meaning I paid nadda.
What has been done is helping the community as a whole. Mostly by making it available a lot sooner, something that will benefit all of us in the long run.
Everyone take a deep breath and
Mike