Google Goes After Open Source Licensing Cruft

pacopico writes "Google has secret plans to put out its own open source software license, according to this story in The Register. Apparently, Google's efforts will center around developing a simplified open source license that makes it easier for developers to stay "within the spirit" of the license in addition to the law. Chris DiBona at Google was asked about the plans but won't budge with details yet. Still, The Register claims that Google's efforts could improve the license proliferation issues facing the OSI."

Comments

Quite ironic

[einhverfr]

I think that if and when Chris Dibona proposes this on the OSI license-discuss list, he is going to be put in the hotseat perhaps in the same way as Microsoft. The basic issue is that he has been really arguing loudly for the idea that OSI should only approve new licenses when depricating an old one. It seems that license proliferation argumenst are likely to come back against such a proposal.

Re:Quite ironic

[chrisd]

You can bet I would be. Good thing that we're not planning on doing anything this stupid.

Chris DiBona

Re:Google needs a mascot

[creativeHavoc]

Hey, chose the Vancouver Island Marmot! 2 birds with one stone. Google gets a furry mascot, and the marmot gets more awareness in the media. http://www.marmots.org/

The imminent release of 'Google Apps' for Linux

[Burz]

...may have prompted DiBona to field the idea of a Google-inspired license. They may be afraid of the 'viral' nature of the platform they are writing for.

If that's the case, then it points to some far-reaching stuff possibly coming out of their labs. Things that may require kernel modules...

Re:Google needs a mascot

[Anonymous Coward]

Vancouver Island Marmot

Perhaps vim might be interested?

Re:We are NOT creating a new license

[chrisd]

Thanks for posting this Greg! I thought it was some kind of joke when Ashlee emailed me, I mean, how many times do we have to say we're not creating our own licenses, you know?

Chris