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by ajross 3018 days ago
In practice, though, the GPL has mostly just managed to scare companies into using the Apache license for stuff they want to release. GPL violations are typically done by smaller actors without malice: little companies rushing products out the door, or integrators shipping stuff without a clear picture of the software license.

At this point in history I don't think free software has much to fear from a more lenient enforcement of copyleft. The real risk is that copyleft (IMHO a really great tool even absent the "scare companies" analysis) will be forgotten.
1 comments
bsder 3018 days ago
> In practice, though, the GPL has mostly just managed to scare companies into using the Apache license for stuff they want to release.

So? I see this as a good thing.

It's not like there is a shortage of BSD, MIT, Apache, et al., licensed code.

GPL code should be treated like radioactive or toxic material--you need a permit, legal approval, and you had better have a REALLY good reason. There are reasons why you might need to use it, but they should be few and very far between.

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