Linked by Thom Holwerda on Wed 2nd Sep 2009 12:41 UTC, submitted by nitsudima
David Chisnall casts a critical eye over the GNU General Public License and asks whether it's done more harm than good for the Free Software movement. "Looking back, has the GPL been a help, or a hindrance? And will it continue to be a help or hindrance in the future?"
Thread beginning with comment 381997
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2009-02-19
Member since:2006-02-16
Although I like the concept of GPL (yeah, the viral nature of it actually) I don't like the GPL itself because...well its like reading an EULA. (...)
Here's a simplification for you (numbers in braces refer to relevant sections in the GPLv3).
0. Definitions. [0, 1]
1. Receiving a Licence.
- 1.1. License grant is given upon receiving the Program. [10p0s0, 2p0s0, 11p0-2&7, 3p0]
- - a. License acceptance is implied by modifying or propagating. [9]
- - b. No warranty is provided, unless in writing for a fee. [15, 16, 17]
- - c. Additional liability disclaimers may apply. [7a]
- - d. Additional publicity restrictions may apply. [7d]
- - e. License adherence is not excused by other obligations. [12]
- - f. License termination may result from license breach. [8]
- 1.2. Additional permissions may apply. [7p0, 7p9s0-1, 14]
2. Using the Program.
- 2.1 Using the unmodified Program and fair use are unlimited. [2p0s1-3]
- 2.2 Making and using covered works is permitted. [2p1, 2p2s0]
3. Conveying Source.
- 3.1. Conveying verbatim copies of source is permitted. [4p0s0, 4p1]
- - a. Licensing restrictions may not be imposed. [10p0s1&p2, 2p2s1]
- - b. Patents, if they protect you, must protect everyone. [11p3-6]
- - c. Technical measures may not be enforced. [3p1]
- - d. Notices must be retained and made conspicuous. [4p0s0]
- - e. Additional names and marks terms may apply. [7e]
- - f. Additional liability indemnification terms may apply. [7f]
- - g. Transfer of control requires transfer of rights. [10p1]
- 3.2. Conveying modified source versions is permitted. [5p0s0 parts]
- - a. Above terms of Section 3.1 apply. [5p0s0 part]
- - b. Licensing must be available under this License. [5c, 7p1-2, 7p9s2]
- - c. Notices must be included and prominent. [5abd, 7p10-11]
- - d. Additional notices terms may apply. [7bc]
4. Conveying non-source forms is permitted. [6p0s0 part]
- - a. Above terms of Sections 3.1 and 3.2 apply. [6p0s0 part]
- - b. Source code must be made available. [6p0s0 part, 6p1-6, 6p11]
- - c. Installation information is required for User Products. [6p7-10]
5. Conveying Non-GPL Works.
- 5.1. Conveying linked Affero GPL works is permitted. [13]
- 5.2. Conveying aggregates is permitted. [5p5]
Member since:
2007-07-25
Although I like the concept of GPL (yeah, the viral nature of it actually) I don't like the GPL itself because...well its like reading an EULA. It seem to cram everything in there so its impossible to read it all, and it seem more focused on stopping big evil capitalist companies (like the "must stop tivo and microsoft at any cost so lets include clauses directed at them" community surrounding it) rather than sharing...so there are other licenses like the GPL, with the same "must share" nature that are far simpler, easier to understand, that I prefer over the GPL. Even Microsoft got one that I find better for that reason. Ironic, or what?