Re: Dual-Licensing Linux Kernel with GPL V2 and GPL V3

Daniel Hazelton
2007-06-18T23:45:41Z

On Monday 18 June 2007 19:31:30 Alexandre Oliva wrote:
> On Jun 18, 2007, Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org> wrote:
<snip>
>
> > With the GPLv2, you need to give your software modifications back, but
> > the
> ^^^^ BZZT!
> > GPLv2 never *ever* makes any technical limitations on the end result.
>
> Actually, just think of how many times you've heard the argument "I
> can't give you the source code for this driver/firmware/etc under the
> GPLv2 because the law says so."

Sorry to tell you this, but anyone that makes a modification to GPLv2 covered
code and distributes that modification is bound by the license. If a law
makes following the license illegal, then they can't use any rights granted
by the license. They are breaking the law by refusing to follow the license.

<snip>
> > The GPLv2 requires that you give source code out.
> ^^^^^^^^ BZZT ;-)
> > But if you want to make your hardware in a way that it only runs
> > signed versions, because of some reason like an FCC rule, or banking
> > rule, or just because you damn well want, the GPLv2 doesn't stop
> > that.
>
> And then, the user is stopped from making appropriate technical
> decisions.

You marked the "requires" as an error. Technically it is. Practically,
however, it is rare for a modification to not fall under the "distribution"
part of the license, making the "release the source" requirement active
almost all the time.

<snip>
> > b) I think you're simply wrong in your math. I think more people
> > like the middle-ground and not-frothing-at-the-mouth spirit of "open
> > source" over the religious dogma of "free software".
>
> It looks like the math you're talking about is in no way related with
> anything I've argued about. You seem to be thinking about the number
> of people who claim to be on the "free software" or "open source"
> sides, but I can't fathom in what way this is related with whether you
> get more or less contributions from users as a consequence of users'
> being permitted to tinker with the free software in their own devices.

"More Developers" (either "Free Software" or "Open Source") == "More
Contributions"

That equation is very simple to understand - claiming its wrong is impossible.
<snip>
> > See? Those are three totally different reasons why I think the GPLv2 is
> > the right license for me, and for the kernel.
>
> Ok, the only one that stands is the moral reason.

Apparently because you can't admit that a good reason *IS* a good reason when
it conflicts with your belief that the FSF is correct. (The same as
the "Science can't be right because it conflicts with the bible" I hear from
all kinds of Xtians these days)

DRH
PS: I know I've said I'm done with this conversation, but this is like a bad
habit. I just couldn't help myself.

--
Dialup is like pissing through a pipette. Slow and excruciatingly painful.