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Making The GPL Easier For Companies To Swallow

Posted by timothy on from the hey-this-stuff-tastes-free dept.

stupidNewbie writes "There is a new GPL "wrapper" gaining momentum on Capitol Hill. Dubbed O-STEP, the Open Source Threshold Escrow Program allows vendors to license their products until so many millions are made, then agree to release the code under GPL. This sounds like a good bridge for companies looking to tap into the strengths of open source distribution." Starting from zero, it can certainly gain momentum quickly -- sounds like a good idea though.

4 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. I think its brilliant... by catbutt · · Score: 0, Redundant

    ...as long as they have figured out a way to avoid one problem: the vendor keeps adjusting the price higher so they avoid passing the threshhold.

    In any case, I think we needs something like this to add some incentive to open-sourcing stuff. Not everyone likes to work for free.

  2. O-STEP Sounds like a good idea by Landaras · · Score: 2, Redundant

    In fact, it sounds as good as it did the first time it appeared and was discussed...

    http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/03/17/123025 4&mode=thread&tid=106&tid=98

    Oh well, that was two days ago. If you hurry, you can probably regurgitate all of the +5 comments and boost your karma.

    --
    My legal education, in nifty podcast format
  3. Re:Great Idea! by RLiegh · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I can think of a few legacy projects I'd like to see released like that - Clipper for one.

    and Clippy for another?
  4. Re:Great Idea! by mvdw · · Score: 0, Redundant
    I can think of a few legacy projects I'd like to see released like that - Clipper for one.

    Whew! For a second there I thought you'd written "Clippy".