GPL3 will become dominant in all GNU/Linux distros

GPL3 will become dominant in all GNU/Linux distros

First, let me say that if these rumours turn out to be true, and Open Solaris really does get released under the GPL3 (complete with its anti-DRM and anti-software patent clauses), I think this is an excellent move. Kudos to Sun.

I think it's important to remember that GNU/Linux distros are already a giant melting pot of all kinds of Free and Open Source software licenses (GPL2, MIT, Apache, BSD, etc. etc.). The GPL2-licensed kernel is just one software component.

It may be true that the Linux kernel will remain GPL2, but because so many essential parts of a functioning GNU/Linux distro will become licensed under the GPL3 over the coming year (and beyond), the GPL3 will, in my opinion, become the dominant license.

I don't think that a GPL3-licensed kernel gives Open Solaris a huge advantage over a predominantly GPL3-licensed GNU system contianing a GPL2-licensed Linux kernel. In fact, I think it will make hardly any difference at all.

On a slight tangent, I think that the fact that Sun will be throwing their weight behind GPL3 adds to the size of the GPL3 Tsunami that is about to hit the corporate software industry. The GPL3 will be unstoppable, and big companies such as Novell, HP, etc. will be forced to accept its "playing field-levelling" anti-software patent terms.

We could be in for a very interesting year ahead. I predict that the patent terms of the Novell-Microsoft agreement will be swept away by the GPL3 tidal wave as Microsoft is forced back to the negotiating table.