Possible routes to kernel on GPLv3 [LWN.net]

Possible routes to kernel on GPLv3

Posted Jan 29, 2007 15:25 UTC (Mon) by b3timmons (guest, #40286)
In reply to: Possible routes to kernel on GPLv3 by bronson
Parent article: GPL 3: An Open-Source Earthquake? (CRN)

bronson,

While I agree that it would be nice to see an updated draft soon, the contention really seems to come mainly from the kernel guys. Unfortunately, as RMS originally warned years ago, "Linux kernel = all of FOSS" in the minds of way too many people (I am not saying you!). You question whether the position statement was political, but of course we should note that Torvalds has for a long time played balancing acts of various sorts. Some of these acts involve being political whether he likes it or not. I cannot believe that all of those behind the position statement did not act without their employers in mind. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this in and of itself, but, IMHO, the statement was made with other entities in mind, such as Linus's employer, OSDL.

OTOH, the MS-Novell deal worries me, and I would not be surprised if it spooked Moglen, RMS, etc. into brainstorming about more crazy ways that free software can be made effectively nonfree. Note that they, like the other participants, are also representatives. They represent all people who expect the GPL to once again guarantee the freedom that, as stated in its preamble, it intends to guarantee.

You might interesting the thoughts of an upcoming legal eagle, ex-Novell guy Luis Villa. In particular, see his criticisms of both the FSF and the kernel guys:

http://tieguy.org/blog/2006/09/page/2/

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Possible routes to kernel on GPLv3

Posted Jan 29, 2007 21:45 UTC (Mon) by bronson (subscriber, #4806) [Link]

The Linux Foundation desires a strong GPLv3, don't they? You imply that Linus and his "many interests" are bent on harpooning the new GPL. I find this extremely implausible. Much more likely is just typical communications difficulties, no? Especially when exacerbated by the FSF's bureaucracies. Yes, the position statement was too politically loaded, but I hope both parties can overcome this.

Apparently Eben is satisfied that GPLv3 draft 2 is sufficient to prevent the MS-Novell deal in the future. That's good enough for me! I do hope he and RMS are gaming future scenarios; given the skill with which Microsoft convinced Novell to sign this crazy deal, we can be quite sure that the opposition is doing so.

I met Luis a few times when I lived in Boston. I like the guy a lot and follow what he's doing pretty closely. I think he's spot on with pretty much everything he says.

You claim that the contention comes mainly from the kernel guys. Luis isn't a kernel guy, is he? LKMLers tend to loathe Slashdot but there are a number of dissenting voices here: http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/06/2046257 Tectonic isn't a kernel mag: http://www.tectonic.co.za/view.php?id=914 (this is satire but its position is clear). I'm sure I could find more examples if I kept looking.

Yes, the vast majority of free software developers are silent on the matter. That should not be interpreted as tacit support for the gplv3! Make no mistake: the GPLv3 is still a very controversial license. I really hope the FSF takes the time to get it right.