Re: Licensing Statistics (2001-09-08)

[Daniel Veditz]

Ben Bucksch wrote:
 >

> My personal opinion is that the GPL was poorly designed, because I think 
> that this very discussion should never have to happen. The GPL is, IMO, 
> not as free as other licenses.


Ssshh! The zealots might hear you!

Using the word "free" in conjunction with the GPL is sure to lead to 
confusion and argument. The GPL is indeed very restrictive on developers 
("not free" in that sense) in its attempt to preserve specific "freedoms" 
for the user/recipient of GPL'd programs (who might themselves be developers).

In its attempt to prevent combinations with licenses that might subvert the 
intentions of the GPL it also sometimes prevents combination with licenses 
compatible in spirit like the MPL as a side effect. In a sense the GPL is 
"allergic" to the MPL, a mistaken immune response to something otherwise 
harmless.

-Dan Veditz