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Global File System (GFS) Relicensed under SPL

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the license-proliferation dept.

thk writes "Sistina, the main developer of the Global File System, has changed its license from GPL to SPL (Sistina Public License). SPL is basically a free-for-non-profit-use license. Interestingly, the change came just after beta testing, leaving some users a bit miffed. The GFS is an important component of some GPL clustering projects, such as Compaq's SSIC project. The Sistina press release is here."

1 of 261 comments (clear)

  1. Re:so it was forked by Alan+Cox · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've also explained to the Sistina people that even if they own all the code and can happily relicense it (which may be the case) it requires a huge patch to the kernel so cannot be conceivably consider entirely a "seperate work" nor part of Linus binary modules using existing exported symbols exception.

    We will see what happens in our discussion, and if need be I will be sending them notice recorded delivery that I believe they are violating my copyrights.

    In the mean time I hope IBM who provided the GPL DLM used for some GFS setups and Compaq who are doing all the great cluster work will adopt and support OpenGFS instead.

    The OpenGFS folks would also like to hear from anyone who contributed patches to GFS while it was GPL licensed that are still in the non-free one without their permission.

    Alan