Groklaw Explains Microsoft and the GPLv3

A Groklaw Reader writes "After all the questions about how the GPLv3 will or won't apply to Microsoft following Microsoft's declaration that they weren't bound by it, PJ of Groklaw wrote this story about how and why the GPLv3 will apply to Microsoft. Specifically, it covers in what ways Microsoft would convey GPLv3 software under the Novell agreement, and how Microsoft's refusal to allow previously sold vouchers to be redeemed for GPLv3 software would impact that agreement. Given that Novell has said that they will distribute GPLv3 software, Microsoft may have had the tables turned on them already."

Comments

Re:is it just me?

[cp.tar]

Well, it's not that far from truth...

First, they let all their software be pirated very easily, thus creating a large userbase. Then their software started phoning home, and the BSA made sure that as much of their software used in the public and business sectors is legal, i.e. bought - but only after the price of moving away from MS was higher than just paying up.

Drug dealers give you the first dose for free. When you get addicted, they sell you upgrade licences.

No, wait...

Oh, disclaimer: I guess this is a bit different in the US. I'm speaking from the perspective of a country whose inhabitants usually cannot easily afford a copy of anything.