http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40264
------ Torvalds remains unconvinced by GPL3 Backward step By INQUIRER newsdesk: Tuesday 12 June 2007, 11:07 LINUX TORVALDS is not convinced that the upcoming third version of the General Public Licence (GPLv3) is a good thing. "I still think GPLv2 is simply the better licence," Torvalds wrote in a posting to the Linux Kernel Developer mailing list on Sunday. The kernel forms the core of the operating system, but Linux distributions contain code from many other open source projects. An estimated 80 per cent of all open source projects are governed by the GPL. Torvalds weilds the power to vet contributions to the Linux kernel and can decide to change the licence shoud he feel like it. His disapproval of the forthcoming licence may have mellowed in recent months but, evidently, he still has his doubts. "I was impressed in the sense that it was a hell of a lot better than the disaster that were the earlier drafts," he said. Torvalds previously dismissed the licence as "religious". He is sceptical about its attempts to prevent the use of digital rights management and its efforts to undermine the Novell-Microsoft partnership. He also killed speculation that the Linux kernel would use a dual licence, allowing users and distributors to choose between GPLv2 and GPLv3, describing it as "unlikely and technically quite hard" but at least "possible in theory". No major open source distros have yet lined up behind the GPLv3. Sin Microsystems has been one of its most vocal supporters so far, suggesting that it might choose the licence for its Solaris operating system. But it won't make up its mind before the final version of the licence has been published. Asked about the possibility of Solaris under GPLv3. Torvalds said: "I don't think the GPLv3 is as good a licence as v2, but on the other hand, I'm pragmatic, and if we can avoid having two kernels with two different licences and the friction that causes, I at least see the reason for GPLv3. "As it is, I don't really see a reason at all [to adopt GPLv3 for the Linux kernel]." The GPLv3 is in the "final call" draft stage. A final version is scheduled for publication by the end of this month. ยต ------ regards, alexander. -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sJUDx7iEJw _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss
