Will GPLv3 Drive Users from Linux to FreeBSD?

An anonymous reader writes "Last week ZDNet put up an article asking a simple question: will GPL3 drive Linux users to FreeBSD? It's based on issues raised in the August FreeBSD Foundation Newsletter. That publication features a letter by the vice president of the FreeBSD Foundation, Justin Gibbs, arguing that the GPLv3 restricts the rights of commercial users of open source software, and is just the FSF's first step in changing the GPL in ways that authors of GPL software may not have intended. He suggests that commercial users should seriously consider BSD-licensed software as an alternative if they want to be able to safely ship products in the future. This is especially in light of requirements from the FCC that software running on devices (such as software-defined radios) be end-user replaceable. Gibbs states that the FreeBSD Foundation will provide an alternative to GPLv3'd software, especially in light of Stallman's statement that further GPL revisions are due in the near future. Is this likely to cause discontent among Linux users, or will they mostly ignore it?"

Comments

BSD is still alive?

[tjstork]

I don't know that people would switch to BSD because of a licensing issue. Most people use Linux as a client and probably don't care about the licenses. I don't see how BSD can keep up with the torrent of drivers coming out for Linux at this point. Sure, if there was a BSD that recognized my graphics card, sound card, and all my other goodies, I'd be up for it, but I'd hate to have to go back in time again just because of a licensing consideration. And then, what compiler would I use? Gee, GNU!!!!

Absolutely!

[crhylove]

I for one am certainly switching to BSD, which doesn't do half what Ubuntu currently does, and doesn't have the UPGRADED and improved license. As a matter of fact, I'm going to skip BSD and just go ahead and install some other arcane proprietary OS. Maybe TRS-DOS or re-hook up my sinclair. I mean, why bother with compiz-fusion, rhythmbox, ooo, gimp, pidgin, tvtime, firefox, and thunderbird? I don't want free and stable often updated software. I want some arcane bullshit that might get co-opted and corrupted by some corporation. Fuck the GPL v3!!! FREEDOM NAZIS!!!!