HP balks at patent provision in GPL update

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Changing versions

If Linus, et. al., decided to change license versions for Linux it wouldn't be impractical. It wouldn't be *fast* either, but it could be done without too much trouble.

The nutshell synopsis of how to do it is something like this: 1) From a given date, dual-license (GPL2 and GPL3) all new code for the kernel. 2) Proceed for a year or two until > 90% of the kernel code is rewritten (this happens faster than you might think). 3) Once a given threshold is crossed (90%, 95%, whatever), move to rewriting the rest of the GPL2 code from scratch. Once everything is dual-licensed, drop the GPL2 from future patches and rewrites.

This isn't quick; it would take probably 3 years or so. However, it could be done with relatively little effort.

Nonetheless, I have my doubts that it'll happen. There are some fundamental differences of opinion between RMS and Linus regarding GPL3. I don't expect Linus to move to the GPL3 once it comes out. It would take a near-unanimous push from the other Linux kernel developers to have any chance of moving Linus off of that position and I don't see that, either.

Posted by: FamilyManFirst   Posted on: 08/03/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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