ESR: 'We Don't Need the GPL Anymore' (O'ReillyNet) [LWN.net]

ESR: 'We Don't Need the GPL Anymore' (O'ReillyNet)

Posted Jul 2, 2005 3:25 UTC (Sat) by clump (subscriber, #27801)
Parent article: ESR: 'We Don't Need the GPL Anymore' (O'ReillyNet)

If I understand ESR's GPL position correctly, in that Open Source is a vastly superior method of development irrespective of the protections of the GPL, then I am afraid he didn't cite a lot of evidence for this claim. Further he states that the protections offered by the GPL harm the community because they "scare" away potential contributors, which is also a claim that lacks evidence. I think the issue isn't that easy to frame.

Whether the success of Linux in particular is merely that of Linus Torvalds or because of the side effects of a software license seems to miss parts of a bigger picture. Firstly, we're in uncharted territory; Linux is currently very successful and doesn't have a lot of historical perspective to look at. The GPL is very much a part of this success. It would be disingenuous to try to diminish the GPL's contribution to a community it helped create. Secondly, there have been very large and visible Linux contributions under the GPL. This very much is evidence of the opposite of ESR's point that the GPL scares contributors away.

My view: ESR says that the racecar going 200Mph never needed 4 wheels. I believe ESR might disagree and say: the GPL to Free/Open Source is nothing like a wheel to an automobile.

I am afraid I am not convinced that the GPL is unneeded. Linux and Free/Open Source software are alive and well at present, thanks in part to the GPL. Saying in 2005 despite this success that one of its key ingredients is unneeded doesn't go far without evidence. There is a lot of evidence to show the GPL's role in support the community, but not much to condemn it.

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