BSD vs GPL
This article on Slashdot deals with Intel and Red Hat making some modifications to their licencing in order to be able to cooperate.
Basically, Intel had some code that they wanted to be able to distribute without the requirements of GPL. Red Hat didn’t like it. They comprimised on the BSD licence.
I agree with this decision — While I am a user of, and enjoy the work the GPL project has done, I also prefer the BSD licence. Theo de Raadt puts it best:
In the BSD world, we believe in making available trap-less software which anyone can use for any purpose. Even if they wanted to put our operating system into baby mulching machines or cruise missiles. We expose no ethic except our own of transitive freedom in sharing. We make no demands except credit.
I find the GPL too strict. As a developer (a poor one, but a developer none the less), I’d prefer that my code get used over anything else. “Do what you want with it, just don’t say you wrote it”. Even Microsoft has made use of BSD code, such as zlib, and quite possibly parts of the {*BSD,Linux} socket libraries. The GPL, while perfect for keeping code open, doesn’t do much to promote its use. BSD, on the other hand, fits better with commercial software and open software alike.
I am facing a personal dilemma between the GPL and BSD licenses. The GPL seems way to restrictive and BSD seems way too open and easy to abuse.
I was having a discussion over at comp.lang.lisp about licensing of a wxLisp project (wxWindows bindings for open source lisps). I want the library to be open and free (GPL like) whereas any applications built on top of it to be able to use proprietary licensing or BSD like. The problem is that the LGPL cannot be applied to Lisp programs and hence they have a LLGPL (Lisp Lesser GPL) but why can’t the wording just be simple.
The tools being used for creating the project are C and C++ (hence gcc) and clisp (GPL), CMUCL (BSD)
and wxWindows (which has its own very free license).
I am starting to develop a mild apprehension to the
GPL these days even though I am all for open-source
development.
Take Care
Sanjay
February 16th, 2003 at 9:36 pmI like the forced sharing that is part of the GPL. However I do agree it is a bit strict at times.
March 4th, 2003 at 4:56 pm