10.20.07
GPLv3 Pace of Adoption is Increasing, Novell Questions Addressed
The great folks at Palamida still keep a close eye on GPLv3’s acceptance. Here is a fragment from their latest (and very encouraging) report:
The GPL v3 Watch List is intended to give you a snapshot of the GPLv3/LGPLv3 adoption for October 13th through October 19th, 2007.
October World Series
As of October 19th, 1pm PST, our database contained 898 GPL v3 projects, as compared to last weeks number on October 12th of 833 GPL v3 projects. This is a larger than average increase of 65 GPL v3 projects which puts us on the brink of 900 GPL v3 projects and closer to the important milestone of 1000 GPL v3 projects.
Bruce Byfield has just published an article on this issue as well. The article is aptly titled “GPLv3 adoption on track, experts say”.
In the end, for the FSF, the measure of the GPLv3’s success will be, not how widely it used, but whether it can protect software freedom. “What does success mean?” Brown asks. “I think it’s important not to set some arbitrary target about what success means. It’s not a numbers game. It’s about how do you get people to value the aims of GPLv3. Because if you don’t value the freedoms of the GPL, then the question of GPLing isn’t about freedom. It’s a question of technical considerations.”
These recent reports knock off the many self-serving (and often paid-for) reports that predict doom and gloom for the new licence, so it’s a refreshing change. For those who are still uncertain about the meaning of the new licence and the ways it protects one’s freedom and interests, the FSF is arranging an open chat.
Linux developers also have questions about the new anti-patent collusion language in GPLv3 and what it means to joint patent partnerships such as the one between Microsoft and Novell.
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.