The problem is that if you get a piece of software under the GPLv2..you have a choice of using it under future licenses. So, Novell can still use anything under the GPLv2 (which includes all current gnu software) and they won’t have a problem.

The drawback to them is that they will not be able to get updates (if they want to sell it under the deal with Microsoft) and will have to hire more developers rather than just using code from the community.

Most linux distributions contain lots of GNU software. Even though they can still use software from version 2, if they were blocked completly from the GNU aspect..there wouldn’t be much of an actual operating system left.

“Of course, Novell has already pledged to comply with GPLv3 in whatever form it should take, so I suppose this is all much ado about nothing, right?”

I think they stated this before the FSF decided to go after them directly.

That’s what I thought … Linus (and a few others) want(s) the kernel to stay under GPLv2. This means the GPLv3 will have very little if any effect on the Microvell deal / contract. They can easily develop or use software that is not under v3. For example, I know Intel makes a decent closed-source complier that would easily substitute gcc. So, I mean, unless really super critical parts of GNU, things that will cause GNU/Linux to not to function at a decent level without some major investment in developing new software, get upgraded to v3, then there is nothing stopping the evil empire from expanding, destroying, and/or dominating Linux and a good portion of GNU. Or maybe Hurd is the last and only hope ? Maybe BSD ? I feel the evil empire has already won Maybe there was never any hope in the first place ….