A New Model for Software Innovation

An anonymous reader writes "In this whitepaper published at LinuxDevices.com, Matt Asay (former Linux naysayer-turned-disciple) analyzes the GPL, picking apart what it means (and does not mean) for users, and whether it is enforceable. Assay also details how its terms inhibit and foster innovation, and why we should care. In this next generation of software, those who understand 'copyleft' licenses like the GPL will have the upper-hand, and will be best positioned to take on closed-source shops like Microsoft. Assay wrote this paper while attending Stanford Law School, where he studied the the GNU General Public License under Professor Larry Lessig." A thoughtful piece that answers - as well as they can be answered - a lot of the questions about the GPL that we get for Ask Slashdot, as well as examining the economics of it. Good reading for anyone developing or selling software.

Comments

Re:Please don't read it

[T.E.D.]

I'm glad that you're looking out for all of our interests. I know I sure hate trying to take information in and make decisions for myself. Thank you for relieving me of independent thought.

Dude, believe me, I'm making this suggestion for your own mental health. I've never made a similar suggestion about equally (or even more) wrong stuff that Microsoft or others put out on the same subject. Doing so with a critical and informed mind will at least give you insight into where they are comming from. And they may even have a valid point or two.

This whitepaper is different. It is like the "third rail" of illogic; there is so much of it coursing through there that contacting your brain to it is liable to fry something. I'm just trying to save others the psycic agony I went through.

If you don't believe me, by all means, feel free to step on that third rail. But at least have a friend nearby to turn off your monitor or knock you out of your chair or something if you start to turn blue and foam at the mouth.

Preferably a blind friend, or someone who can't read English, so they don't get fried too...

Coming Up Next

[istartedi]

How whip cream fosters weight loss, how unfettered immigration promotes security, and how adultry prevents AIDS.

Sure there are people who eat all they want, live next door to strangers from Iran, screw all the time and don't end up as fat disease bags screaming in a pool of their own blood at a bombed-out supermarket. However, the smart money says "why chance it?".