The GPL and library code

The GPL and library code

Posted Mar 18, 2004 14:46 UTC (Thu) by maney (subscriber, #12630)
Parent article: The GPL and library code

If this sort of exception is adopted more widely, it may point toward a need for a new form of the GPL.

Oh, heck no, Jonathon. What it points out is that needless multiplication of more or less open licenses is a bad idea. I find myself drawn, in trying to find the words to express how misguided this notion is, to paraphrases of certain aphorisms. Occam, Franklin... I think it comes very near to being as good applied to free software - those who would give up that freedom in order to avoid a little temporary annoyance...

I find the need to intentionally make allowance, if one chooses to do so, for other licenses that are around to be a positive feature of the GPL, not a drawback. At times like this I find myself wondering if Stallman isn't irritating because his constant harping on essentials of freedom remind us of the compromises we would accept in order to gain those temporary conveniences.

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