They'll have to start writing good software then.. (Score 1)

If they don't like the GPL, well, noone forces them to use code based on it. But if I, as a volunteer, write code in my free time, I have the goddamn right to do with it whatever I want. Writing code and releasing it to the public doesn't give any benefits in the form of money or sth. to the coder. But if others improve it and help him, or write some other free software, he gets his reward in form of good and free (of both pay and source) software. Thats what the GPL is all about. Its a giving and a taking. Now if companies were allowed to take the code, improve it but keep their changes the original coder will get nothing. No improved code for sure. He might even see his very own program, written by himself, with only few minor changes, sold by a company, and he would have to pay for it! This would be a "giving" by the coder and a "taking" by the company. Why should anyone keep on writing "free" software then? If MS is unhappy with the GPL then its their good right. If I was MS, I wouldn't like it either. But saing that the should be allowed to use the software withour crediting the original, unpaid author is painful. If they dont like the GPL then they should finally start writing good software by themselves and stop copying from others.