GPL is nothing like a virus, not only because the GPL is good for you and

a virus is bad for you, but also because simple contact with a GPL'd

code-base does not impact the license of other programs.  A programmer must

of the GPL.  Redistributors are always welcome to simply ship GPL'd

software alongside proprietary software or other unrelated Free Software,

as long as the terms of GPL are adhered to for those packages that are

Software is a strange beast when compared to other copyrightable works.

It is currently impossible to make a film or a book that can be truly

obscured.  Ultimately, the full text of a novel, even one written by

human-readable language so that they can enjoy the work.  A film, even one

directed by David Lynch, must be perceptible by human eyes and ears to

have any value.