GPLv3 gains traction

The GNU GPLv3 is a licence that essentially blocks and annuls some effects of Microsoft's malicious deals with Linux distributors. GPLv3 is truly on a roll, but no-one in the press seems to notice or care. That's the humiliating bias that we sometimes speak of. Jack Loftus has some details from Palamida:

Apparently all the GPLv3 haters can go to lunch, because the little license that could is seeing adoption rates of approximately 14% week-over-week.

This is encouraging news which follows this previous enthusiastic report. For those who are tired of seeing Free software abused and "Open Source" as a term misused, this should certainly be a cause for celebration. GPLv3 proponents have gotten their way and no longer will patent FUD be quite as effective.

To add a quick word on the issue of misuse, consider Microsoft's latest attempt to enter the "Open Source" world. Be aware that Microsoft's open source projects are often tied to, depend on, or get integrated with proprietary products such as SharePoint, SQL Server, .NET, and Windows. You get the picture. It completely dilutes the meaning of the term because there is no freedom in the stack which gets built. There is not much choice, either. In some cases, it's akin to Tivoization where a device enables or disables the use of code (e.g. code cannot be run on Linux, patent provisions are required).

Tim O'Reilly has finally published a discussion about his confrontation with Eben Moglen.

He made a strong statement about why the Free Software Foundation ultimately chose not to close the "SaaS loophole" in GPLv3...

Here is the video [OGG], which is half-an-hour long.

Related stories:

• Cries for help go out as open source mogul's radar breaks



• Eben Moglen challenges Tim O'Reilly to 'join the conversation'



• Rendulum has swung in the open source debate



• Open Source is no Web 2.0



• Web 2.0: Revolution or Hype?