New GPL clause to flip Microsoft-Novell deal on its head?

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Bad example, however...

I'm on your side, but use an example other than the kernel. Linus has already announced he won't be going to GPL version 3.

That said, 44% of the SuSe distribution is licensed under GPL (or LGPL) V2 or "any future version" and a substantial portion of that belongs to the FSF. The FSF will surely go to the new license and if Novell doesn't want to fork 44% of the SuSe codebase and develop all of their own improvements, while becoming incompatible with other Linux distributions; they'll have to knuckle under.

After that Microsoft's choice will be either to pass on all the patent permits to the whole community (not just SuSe), or guarantee that all FSF owned software is free of Microsoft patents. Or Novell can just stop distributing Linux. Same effect.

The simple paragraphs and lack of detail are for Loverock's benefit. He doesn't have the patience to read long stuff.

Posted by: John Le'Brecage   Posted on: 11/21/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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