GPLv3's Implications Hitting Home For Lawyers

Specter writes "The GPL version 3 is getting some attention in legal circles, especially as it relates to its interaction with proprietary software and patents. Edmund J. Walsh penned an article for Law.com discussing the GPLv3 and the risks it poses for hardware and software companies."

Comments

Re:Lawyer he may be...

[mangu]

What a maroon.

Yes, I could see that. He's not red, because he's not a communist. And he's not yellow either, because he's no coward. He's not blue, because he's not sad. He's not green, because he seems to have experience. Yes, I think "maroon" could be a good word for describing him.

Re:Article Worthless FUD

[myvirtualid]

I read the article.

Did you? Then how do you justify writing

In the first paragraph, the author acknowledges that the scope of the article does not include the changes between GPLv2 and v3.

? When you do RTFA, note the 6th and 7th paragraphs, from which I quote:

Under prior versions of the GPL, it was generally accepted that open source and proprietary software could peacefully coexist.... Under the new version of the GPL, the proprietary characteristics of software that step into the ring with open source software are knocked out.... Changes in the GPL impose other limits on the ability to leverage a proprietary position when open source is involved. Under the new version of the GPL....

Clueless post, more like.

Do I disagree or agree with the article? Doesn't matter. Though I really do like the closing paragraph:

With the new GPL in place, free software advocates seem willing and able to take action. You should make sure that the use of open source software is ready for the challenge.