Free or Libre?

There seems a little confusion here between free (speech) and free (beer). Whilst I'm sure you understand the difference it isn't made all that clear from the article. I agree the cost of $7000 seems a lot, but then I generally think that anything that describes itself as a seminar as pretty worthless. I also agree that if the GPL (v3) requires that level of understanding then it isn't terribly well written - but that's never stopped a license before...

The underlying thread of this article though suggests that an organisation that calls itself 'Free' shouldn't be charging. This is wrong. The 'Free' is all about the freedom to tinker with, alter or distribute the code - it's nothing to with money.

If you really believe about the 'carefully selected' clients, then you probably enter all the competitions where you are a 'carefully selected' entrant, and more fool you.

If some suckers are going to pay $7000 for a seminar, good on 'em - they'll be supporting Free Software. If they're lawyers it's probably only the equivalent of one lunch bill anyway.