GPL 3 Launch Date Announced

Joe Blakesley writes "Today, the Free Software Foundation announced that version 3 of the GNU General Public License will be released on Friday, June 29 at noon (EDT). Live video footage of the GPL's unveiling by Richard M. Stallman will be available as a stream on the FSF's website."

Re:Interesting date to choose...

[Alphager]

The FSF is not about pleasing everyone. It is about solely furthering the goals of Free Software (not Open Source, not Linux). They will succeed in that.

Re:Interesting date to choose...

[Bruce Perens]

When GPL2 was written, people got music from phonograph records and a touch-tone phone was the most sophisticated input device available in most people's homes. The world changed a whole lot since then. One of the things that changed is that manufacturers gained the capability to lock down software in a way that they could change, but nobody else could. It's fine for them to have that ability, but I am not going to choose to let them do that to software that I write and they do not pay for. I don't see why anyone else would want to either. If they want to lock the code down, maybe it would be a good idea for them to find its authors and buy a commercial license.

Bruce

Re:Furthering the goals of Free Sofftware

[smclean]

Well, how does it hurt it? I mean, its the release of a new software license.. it's unusual that there are any festivities at all. Do you really think they have much hopes for major press coverage?

I'm glad that some people didn't feel the need to clear their schedule because a new phone is being released. I'm glad I don't spend much time surfing the internet on the weekends; I'll remain unexposed to the epicenter of the hype.

Re:Interesting date to choose...

[FudRucker]

i believe RMS's intent is to disable corporate interests such as the Microsoft/Novell deal & other similar deals from exploiting GPLed software, it basically closes a loophole, RMS is free to license his code however he sees fit...

Giving people their due is hard for some.

[jbn-o]

Yes, I realize that RMS differs on the topic, but really we're all about doing the same thing: making great software available for everyone to share, copy and modify to their heart's content. Can't we all just get along?

But you don't seem to realize why RMS differs. So do compare that ESR essay to "Why "Open Source" misses the point of Free Software [gnu.org]" which, among other things, asks you to consider what is being proposed by the two movements and to give each movement their due. The free software movement isn't just about making software (in fact a lot of people in the free software community aren't programmers at all). The way you frame the issue, it seems that everyone getting along is fine so long as we all choose to call everything "open source" and toss aside the pursuit of freedom and social solidarity that are at the heart of the free software movement (and which the open source movement was built not to talk about).

Re:Interesting date to choose...

[Whiney Mac Fanboy]

Most of the software would surely exist without the FSF, just under a different license.

Gentle reminder. Linux & most other free software couldn't exist if RMS hadn't written GCC. Do you have any idea how much toolchains cost prior to GCC?

Not something your average hobbiest could afford.

Allow me to clarify

[Anonymous Coward]

Open source is about having the freedom to make and share software for free.

Free software is about socialism.