Similar in spirit? [LWN.net]

Similar in spirit?

Posted Oct 5, 2006 4:09 UTC (Thu) by proski (subscriber, #104)
In reply to: Similar in spirit? by njs
Parent article: Similar in spirit?

So maybe we should push back DRM provisions to GPL v4.

Actually, I haven't heard anyone saying that GPLv3 is better than GPLv2 except the DRM issue. Whoever criticizes changes in GPLv3 compared to GPLv2 criticizes other changes as well.

My prediction is that most code that is under GPLv2 now will stay under GPLv2. But we may see new projects under GPLv3. We may also see some currently non-GPL code relicensed under GPLv3. We may see a new Java implementation under GPLv3. We may see Qt under GPLv3. We may see truly innovative software under GPLv3 due to the fact that it's more explicit with regard to patents.

Making changes to GPL piecemeal would likely increase fragmentation, not avoid it.

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Similar in spirit?

Posted Oct 5, 2006 4:38 UTC (Thu) by dlang (subscriber, #313) [Link]

you contradict yourself

you say exisitng code will stay GPLv2, but that there may be a QT under GPLv3

why would they change from GPLv2 to GPLv3?

Similar in spirit?

Posted Oct 5, 2006 8:48 UTC (Thu) by khim (subscriber, #9252) [Link]

Because it's way better Trolltech. Really. Think about it: Qt is used in closed boxes. A lot. But right now you can (in theory) take GPL version and lock it down with DRM. GPLv3 is perfect for dual-licensing scheme!

Community projects rarely change the license (because it's hard). Company-owned projects are toally different kettle of fish. If IBM will "approve" patent changes (who's approval will you trust in regard to patents clause if not IBM?) then I'm pretty sure we'll see a lot of software licensed under GPL, not just Qt.

Similar in spirit?

Posted Oct 5, 2006 14:57 UTC (Thu) by sepreece (subscriber, #19270) [Link]

That's a fascinating observation that I hadn't really thought about before, but it's clearly true: by banning the application of GPLv3 software in protected applications, the FSF is making dual-licensing more attractive, because the alternative licenses do allow such use.