● 05.18.07

●● Google Likes GPLv3, Microsoft Hates GPLv3, Eben Moglen Interview on GPLv3

Posted in FSF, GNU/Linux, Google, GPL, Microsoft, Novell at 7:38 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Joining a large number of developers and companies, Google has just expressed its satisfaction with the latest GPLv3 draft.

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[Chris Dibona:] The latest revision [of GPLv3] is actually pretty good.

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Among others who feel similarly, you might as well include kernel hackers such as Linus Torvalds and Alan Cox. Why was there a scare in the first place? Partly because of brutal attacks from Microsoft lobbyists. Microsoft has already acknowledged that it was GPLv3 that broke the camel’s back and led to its recent onslaught. Microsoft is running out of time, so it’s desparate to secure more Novell-like deals (AKA death knells). The Register has more to add.

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According to the comments, reproduced by the Seattle PI, it seems the act of purchasing Novell’s SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) using certificates that have been distributed by Microsoft will trigger protection for the community from potential prosecution by Microsoft over alleged violations of its IP in Linux and open source.

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In other words, Microsoft will be helping undermine its own agreement not to sue customers of Novell, signed last November.

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Eben Moglen talks about the licence in this newly-published interview, of which the first part is finally available.

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Moglen discusses how the GPL3 relates to different segments of the community, and ponders the structure of the Linux kernel project and how a hypothetical license change might apply.

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Within months, Novell’s deal with Microsoft (and its implications) might be history. Yet another evil scheme, which was intended to be an SCO surrogate, will bite the dust.

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