Re: GPLv2-only considered harmful [was Re: GnuTLS in Debian]
On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 05:59:35PM -0500, Stephen M. Webb wrote:
> On 12/28/2013 04:15 PM, Kurt Roeckx wrote:
> > On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 04:11:18PM -0500, Stephen M. Webb wrote:
> >> On 12/28/2013 03:53 PM, Clint Adams wrote:
> >>> On Sat, Dec 28, 2013 at 09:45:09AM +0100, David Weinehall wrote:
> >>>> As one of the "GPL v2 only" proponents, I take affront. I choose to
> >>>> license what little software I release as GPL v2 only because I do not
> >>>> consider the GPL v3 to have what attracted me to use the GPL v2 in the
> >>>> first place.
> >>>
> >>> The only theoretical advantage I see to GPLv2 is in the termination
> >>> clause, and in practice that seems to be really more trouble than
> >>> it's worth.
> >>>
> >>> Beyond that you have substandard and unclear wording, tivoization,
> >>> lesser patent protection, and incompatibility with Apache 2.0.
> >>>
> >>> So what about that is attractive, and what about v3 is so intolerable
> >>> that you cannot abide your software being distributed under it or
> >>> combined with v3+ works?
> >>
> >> There are organization who will allow v2 but not v3 because of the tivoizaton and patent clauses. A developer may want
> >> his work to be used by such organizations as well as by Debian.
> >
> > That would be an argument for v2+, not v2 only.
>
> Nope. An organization that will not accept the GPLv3 because of the tivoization and patent clauses will not accept
> GPLv2 or later. The "or later" clause means a downstream can invoke their rights under the GPLv3 to demand secret
> encryption keys or upstream can revoke the license for patent action. These organizations do not accept GPLv2+ because
> it's effectively GPLv3.
The "or later" means "or later" and just that. It doesn't mean
a downstream can say they received it under the later version.
And the upstream can't claim that either.
But a downstream can change it to v3+ if they wish, but that
doesn't change anything for the people they got it from for
whom it will still be v2+ (until they change that).
Kurt
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