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Does GPL v3 Alienate Developers?

Posted by Zonk on from the get-thee-hence dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Via Wired, a blog post in which BMC Software's Whurley and Google's Greg Stein agree that the GPL v3 is currently on a path that will alienate developers. Stein has an interesting theory called 'license pressure' which is similar to 'pricing pressure'. 'Due to pressure from developers, all software is moving towards permissive licensing" translation, the GPL and developers are moving in opposite directions ... Developers care about the licenses on the software they use and incorporate into their projects, they like permissive licenses, and they will increasingly demand permissive licenses.'"

3 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. Why is this here? by Orgasmatron · · Score: 2, Funny

    This guy seems to have an opinion (or maybe an agenda) concerning licenses, but can't be bothered to know the difference between open source and free software. It is hardly something worthy of mention on Slashdot.

    My mom doesn't know the difference either. Should I get her to write an essay and submit it?

    --
    See that "Preview" button?
  2. Re:Impression by Wicked+Zen · · Score: 2, Funny

    So you don't care if your code is used to help track some minority a government hates and wants to exterminate? Yikes, where did that come from? You hear somebody trip-trapping across your bridge, troll?

  3. Re:Impression by Pav · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm an evil multimillionaire genius who wants to screw the users and developers of said PD code.

    1) I hijack the project by embracing and extending it so end users will prefer my fork. I distribute it for free, but under a license which prevents anyone else from redistributing it.

    2) I create a paid version offering a sweetener (support and/or more functionality etc...) and then do a frog boil by letting the free version fall behind (no bug fixes or functionality extensions etc), and because I'm the only one with redistribution rights I can kill it completely at my whim. (I'll probably keep in around though because it will suck people into using my product, and when they become frustrated with limitations they'll pay me for the real thing).

    3) If you try to extend the PD product to match mine (mine MINE!!! ahahaha!!!) I open up with my patent and/or copyright war chest and sue your arse back into the nerd hobbit-hole you came from.

    4) Profit!