Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

FSF Positioning To Sue Microsoft Over GPLv3?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the no-easy-out dept.

mjasay writes "Groklaw notes that the Free Software Foundation has decried Microsoft's attempts to distance itself from its obligations to abide by GPL Version 3 (press release here). Citing Microsoft's earlier declaration that they are not bound by GPLv3, the Free Software Foundation declared, 'Microsoft cannot by any act of anticipatory repudiation divest itself of its obligation to respect others' copyrights.' The press release implies that the Free Software Foundation may sue Microsoft over the issue."

4 of 369 comments (clear)

  1. How is Microsoft bound by GPL3? by I'm+Don+Giovanni · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Can someone explain how MS would be bound by GPL3? They make no GPL software.
    The Novell deal was made prior to GPL3.
    How does GPL3 relate to MS at all?

    --
    -- "I never gave these stories much credence." - HAL 9000
    1. Re:How is Microsoft bound by GPL3? by just_another_sean · · Score: 5, Interesting

      IIRC the GPL3 would apply to MS as soon as someone redeems a SUSE voucher that they received from MS. MS would argue that merely giving out the vouchers is not distribution but most people (the FSF included) see it differently.

      I'm not sure if that holds true or not (IANAL, etc.) but it should be interesting to see how this plays out. MS is obviously at least slightly worried or they wouldn't have issued the PR in the first place.

      --
      Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
    2. Re:How is Microsoft bound by GPL3? by mr_mischief · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The angle MS and Novell are taking is that Microsoft's vouchers apply to Novell's GPL v2 stuff. If Novell just happens to distribute GPL v3 stuff in place of that, then it's Novell distributing it of its own free will and not a procurement via Microsoft.

      I say the FSF has a right to question that tactic. I'm just not sure where the courts will fall on it.

  2. Legal Maneuvering by saterdaies · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The issue is that Microsoft has given indemnities to customers of companies like Novell. Seeing that, the FSF decided "let's make it so that the GPL v3 means those indemnifications mean that M$ can never sue free software users even if they aren't Novell customers".

    I guess I'm one of those ends don't justify the means people. M$ shouldn't be suing FOSS, but you can't create a new version of a license and retroactively apply it to M$. We'd all be yelling at the top of our lungs if MS retroactively altered their Windows XP license so that it, say, required to be renewed every year for a fee. And there are loopholes - how many agreements say things like "we can change this agreement without notifying users and continued use is considered agreement with the updated terms."

    Let's fight for real progress rather than shady legal maneuvering - because, let's face it, the evil companies will always be better at it!