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Open-source Licensing: BSD or GPL?

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the six-on-one-hand dept.

BSDForums.org writes "Mark Brewer of Covalent Technologies argues BSD is better for the enterprise. As open source licensing models, both the Berkeley Software Distribution license and the General Public License have advantages and disadvantages. But in the end, the BSD offers more benefits to enterprise customers. Matt Asay of Novell makes the case for GPL. He says, no one open source license is ideal in every circumstance. Different licenses serve different ends. Berkeley Software Distribution-style licenses have been used to govern the development of exceptional open source projects such as Apache. Clearly, BSD has its strengths. However, all things being equal, he prefers the General Public License (GPL ). The GPL is one of the most exciting, innovative capitalist tools ever created. The GPL breaks down walls between vendors and customers while enabling strong competitive differentiation. Which is a better licensing model for open-source applications: BSD or GPL? What do you think?"

5 of 631 comments (clear)

  1. OMFG, they actually asked what we think about this by Fox_1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I swear to god my jaw dropped when I read the article summary, at first I was excited by the idea of some differing views being presented on the different license models, but then I hit the last line
    "Which is a better licensing model for open-source applications: BSD or GPL? What do you think?"
    Please for the love of god remember the children when you post.

    --
    The rock, the vulture, and the chain
  2. Which is better? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wish to edit my open source license files. Which is a better editor for this purpose, Emacs or Vi?

  3. Re:Licensing genes. by Fox_1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Please for the love of god remember the children when you post."

    So should we license our children under the BSD license, or the GPL one?

    Really depends on the source I think. My fiance doesn't let me share my source anymore, and I certainly don't contribute it back to the tree, shudder.

    --
    The rock, the vulture, and the chain
  4. Better question yet by ari_j · · Score: 5, Funny

    Which is the best flamefest?

    BSD License vs. GPL
    Linux vs. FreeBSD
    Emacs vs. vi
    C++ vs. Java
    Python vs. Perl
    PHP vs. Ruby on Rails
    Microsoft vs. SCO

  5. Re:Danger Will Robinson, Danger! by AlexMidn1ght · · Score: 5, Funny

    Would it kill people to speak in normal sentences instead of Market Speak(TM)?

    I think Market Speak(TM) revolutionizes leading-edge initiatives by deploying mesh synergistic relationships and innovates in user-centric niches by enabling strategy scalable streamlined virtual communities and transition collaborative deliverables!