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Apache says ASL2.0 is GPL-compatible

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-of-course-they-do dept.

Steve Loughran writes "The ASF board have put up on the Apache Web site, a page rebutting claims that the new ASL2.0 license is incompatible with the GPL, claims made by on an FSF page and covered in Slashdot last week.The key points are (1) The interpretation of the GPL license is not just the opinions of individuals in the FSF, it is designed to be rigorously defendable in a court of law. (2) Rather than look at opinions about compatibility, people should look at the ASF2.0 and GPL licenses to see if they really are compatible. (3) If you look at the two licenses, they really are compatible. This means there is nothing to stop you linking your [L]GPL apps against apache libraries, shipping them with apache applications, and the like." Of course, this is still up to debate.

8 of 384 comments (clear)

  1. All arguments aside... by sirReal.83. · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) The interpretation of the GPL license is not just the opinions of individuals in the FSF, it is designed to be rigorously defendable in a court of law.
    (2) Rather than look at opinions about compatibility, people should look at the ASF2.0 and GPL licenses to see if they really are compatible.
    (2) If you look at the two licenses, they really are compatible.

    I'd learn how to count first.

  2. ASL compatible hmm... by bad+enema · · Score: 4, Funny

    So now Linux users can baske themselves in the glow of online dating too?

    That's what I call progress!

  3. GNU over Power Lines... by Frennzy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Great. Now running GNU over Power Lines interferes with Apache. Just wait until the HAMS who run amateur radio websites hear about this.

    Oh...wait...

  4. In other news by El · · Score: 4, Funny

    SCO apparently beleives the GPL is SCO License compatible... which just goes to show what somebody thinks doesn't mean jack until you test it in court.

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  5. Re:And by compatible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I always thought "A/S/L????" was BSD licensed, sine AOL has incorporated it as essential technology.

  6. Nicely done. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I didn't think anyone would figure it out. Oh well, like anyone is going to believe you. Mu-ha-ha-ha -ha ha...

    --- Steve "Satan" Jobs

  7. Heresy by Brandybuck · · Score: 2, Funny

    The interpretation of the GPL license is not just the opinions of individuals in the FSF... people should look at the ASF2.0 and GPL licenses to see if they really are compatible.

    Heresy! The GPL means exactly what RMS says it means. No more and no less. Suggesting that people should read the GPL for themselves, indeed! Next thing you know you'll be suggesting people read the Bible for themselves instead of trusting in the Pope!

    --
    Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
  8. Re:Why not add a compatibility clause by SeinJunkie · · Score: 2, Funny

    Say John writes some Apache licensed code, and Jim writes some GPL covered code. Then Joe comes along, takes Jim's code, writes an Apache module that includes Jim's code (after all, the Apache license says it's ok). Joe's module becomes popular and gets included in the big distributions.


    Wait... what happened to John?