[ In response to Mr. Sweet’s earlier article…
-lt ed ]
Michael Sweet, Easy Software Products, 11 June
1999
Thanks to a tremendous response from Linux users all over the
world, we have changed the license for our Common UNIX Printing
System software from the AFPL to the GNU General Public License.
This will allow vendors develop and distribute printer drivers
licensed under the GPL freely.
Commercial support for vendors distributing CUPS under the GPL
will be available from Easy Software Products within the next
month. Vendors wishing to distribute their drivers under other
licenses should contact Easy Software Products to obtain “binary
distribution” rights for CUPS.
Commercial support for users of CUPS will be available by
purchasing our ESP Print software for as little as $45 US for the
Linux version.
The Common UNIX Printing System provides a portable printing
layer for UNIX® operating systems. It has been developed by
Easy Software Products to promote a standard printing solution for
all UNIX vendors and users. CUPS provides the System V and Berkeley
command-line interfaces.
CUPS also includes a customized version of GNU GhostScript
(currently based off GNU GhostScript 4.03) and an image file RIP
that can be used to support non-PostScript printers.
Sample drivers are provided for the HP DeskJet and LaserJet
series printers. Drivers for over 1200 printers are available in
our ESP Print
software.
The Common UNIX Printing System, CUPS, and the CUPS logo are the
trademark property of Easy Software Products. Information on ESP
Print can be found at “http://www.easysw.com“. Information on
CUPS can be found at “http://www.cups.org“. You can also
contact us by telephone at +1.301.373.9600 or by email at “print@easysw.com“.