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Prevents too much branching
Part of the reasoning is to prevent people from making 10,000 non-compatible variations of the code - since the source has to stay open, ideas can be shared, and you won't have lots of branching versions!

It also protects the author: Somebody could run away with the code, improve it secretly, say "screw you" to the original author, and make a nice profit, leaving the original author biting the dust. As a programmer, I can say: Ouch, no thanks! Not something I want! Opening the source, but allowing it to be re-closed clearly harms the original author. No programmer in their right mind would use such a license.

It also promotes sharing of ideas and code - which means a lot less re-inventing the wheel!

The only thing I disagree with the GPL is its requirements that it *must* be used with other GPL or GPL-compatible code. Requiring the code with the GPL to stay GPL is good, but forcing other code to accept the license is a bad idea IMHO.
Posted by: CobraA1   Posted on: 04/22/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Eben Moglen's Speech for Harvard Journal of Law & Technology  David Mohring | 04/22/04
Nice link!  Peter Komisar | 04/23/04
GPL has been through a lot of review  Chad_z | 04/22/04
GPL gains clout in German legal case  Loverock Davidson | 04/22/04
I have an idea!!!  Martin Marvinski | 04/22/04
I have an idea!!!  Loverock Davidson | 04/23/04
Re: GPL gains clout in German legal case  none none | 04/22/04
Prevents too much branching  CobraA1 | 04/22/04
You can use GPL programs in a commercial product...  rinaldo | 04/23/04
They have a pretty broad definition . . .  CobraA1 | 04/24/04
Why don't you put some substance  IT_User | 04/23/04
Ok...  bchesmer | 04/23/04
Sorry but I don't see it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
huh  Daxx | 04/23/04
Don't use GPL software then...  rinaldo | 04/23/04
re gpl  Llandros Loressin | 04/23/04
Who cares Germany is closer to 3rd world  Enterprise Analyst | 04/23/04
In what? And who called it that?  FirstNLastN | 04/23/04
3rd World????  bchesmer | 04/23/04
Ford GT kicks BMW or Mercedes rear ends big time  voska | 04/24/04
Can't pass this one up...  Linux User 147560 | 04/23/04
I beg to differ on the Car quailty  voska | 04/24/04
Okay here...  Linux User 147560 | 04/24/04
Sure, keep thinking that....  boomslang_z | 04/25/04
Re: Germany  casimirartmann | 04/26/04
gpl like a spit hand shake  V Sanders | 04/23/04
Someone has been watching to much "Deadwood" on TV.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
Good for software licensing.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
Don't confuse GPL with EULA  Yagotta B. Kidding | 04/23/04
You are the one confused I think.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
Someone's confused  none none | 04/23/04
Nic cherry picking.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Re: Nic cherry picking.  none none | 04/24/04
I see your point.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Re: I see your point.  none none | 04/24/04
Licensing copyright, not "seats"  Robert Crocker | 04/23/04
Yes, sort of, and maybe.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
GPL is not an EULA  Root User | 04/23/04
Re: GPL is not an EULA  none none | 04/23/04
Exactly...  Root User | 04/23/04
Has been spelled out  azurensis | 04/27/04
The ONLY difference is the terms.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
you are getting into an interpretive issue.  B.O.F.H. | 04/24/04
What in the world are you talking about?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Re: What in the world are you talking about?  none none | 04/24/04
Seems this court disagree's with you.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Just an FYI  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Absolutely...  John L. Ries | 09/17/04
The terms are the terms.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
Re: The terms are the terms.  none none | 04/23/04
Not really true.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Re: Not really true.  none none | 04/24/04
That is true of any software. Nothing special about the GPL.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
Re: That is true of any software. Nothing special about the GPL.  none none | 04/24/04
Sounds just like MS EULA's.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/24/04
I'm really tired of hearing about "strategy"  John L. Ries | 09/17/04

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