Hi all! According to its debian/copyright[1], bootcd[2] is licensed as follows: | | License: | Most recent version of the GPL. | I've never seen anything like this. I saw "GPL v2 or later", "GPL v2 only", "GPL" (which automatically means "any version"[3]), even "GPL v1 or later", but I've never seen "GPL latest version"... What does this mean? The GNU GPL v3 will probably be more restrictive than v2, at least in some respects. Assume I download bootcd now: I get it under the terms of GNU GPL v2. What will happen as soon as GPL v3 is out in its final form? Will I still be able to exercise the rights granted by GPL v2 on my copy of bootcd (version 2.53)? Or does it automagically becomes licensed under GPL v3? Is this possible at all? Section 9 of GPL v2 does not specify any meaning for the above-quoted permission notice. It explains the meaning of a "GPL vX or later" licensing and of a "GPL" licensing. It does not explicitly talk about "GPL vX only" licensing, because it is self-explanatory, I think. But nothing is said about a "GPL latest version" licensing... Is this a valid license statement at all? Should I ask <licensing@gnu.org> to provide an authoritative answer about this situation? Should I file a bug report against the bootcd package to ask for a clarification? [1] currently available at http://packages.debian.org/changelogs/pool/main/b/bootcd/bootcd_2.53/bootcd.copyright [2] http://packages.debian.org/bootcd [3] see GPLv2#9 for further details -- But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend. -- from _Coming to America_ ..................................................... Francesco Poli . GnuPG key fpr == C979 F34B 27CE 5CD8 DC12 31B5 78F4 279B DD6D FCF4
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