05.10.07
GPLv3 Resolves the Apache Compatibility Peril, Gets Alan Cox’s Approval
More good news to the licence which will render the Novell/Microsoft obsolete and prevent similar future deals from being made. CRN argues that Apache-GPL compatibility is back on track and also names a date, which to Novell is somewhere of a dreadful deadline.
GPL 3 is now on track to be finalized in August. Its adoption will be a major milestone in the open-source industry and will force developers of GPL-licensed software to make choices about migrating to the new license or contributing to a potential schism between version 2 and version 3 software.
It gets even better. After hesistation and reluctance from Linux kernel hackers to adopt GPLv3, comes this:
Open source guru Alan Cox has voiced his support for the controversial version 3.0 of the GNU General Public Licence in an exclusive podcast interview with Computer Weekly.
You may also recall an interview where Linus Torvalds said he was pleased with the recent changes to the GPLv3 draft. The following survey showed wide support among developers as well.
A survey of open-source programming experts that start-up OpenLogic pays to resolve software troubles has revealed some favorable feelings about the new third draft of the General Public License (GPL).
Systematic and malovalent attempts to create GPLv3 scare may no longer be effective. Novell’s and Microsoft’s attempts to discredit GPLv3 are proven to have become weaker when people looked and judged the licence for themselves, as well as observed the way the draft had evolved. Several months ago, a few kernel hackers dismissed the new licence despite admitting that they never read it for.
If the licence is accepted adopted widely, then it may be time for Novell shareholders to spend money on a lot of forks (and still be left behind, essentially stuck in 2007 while rivals fly ahead).
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
BT said,
May 10, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I thought the current v3 draft has a grandfather clause, so, assuming it stays in, can Novell be affected at all?
shane said,
May 10, 2007 at 11:10 pm
The ‘grandfather clause’ is only part of the new patent language, Novell would still be bound by the other aspects of Section 11.
There has even been discussion of the total removal of paragraph 5.