Re: GPL preferred here ? was Re: [Fsfe-uk] Low cost computing for small business - Comments wanted

[Martin Coxall]

> Should the AFFS prefer GPL style licences ? 

It's difficult ground. It's worth dividing the issue up into a number of
separate cases:

1) The AFFS should always favour GPL-compatible Free Software licenses,
but just because a license is GPL-incompatible doesn't make it any less
free.

2) Not every free software advocate is also a copyleft advocate. Being
seen to be a GPL zealot works for RMS, but probably won't for anyone
else.

3) Realise the need for weak copyleft licenses (LGPL preferable), and
non-copyleft licenses (BSD *without obnoxious advertising clause*
preferred)

4) Ultimately, the choice of license lies with the author. Try not to
criticise the author's choice of licence if it meets Free Software
Guidelines.

As I see it, the nearer the top left, the better.


                        GPL-compatible          GPL-incompatible

Strong Copyleft         GPL                     IBM Public License

Weak Copyleft           LGPL                    Mozilla Public License

Non-Copyleft            BSD (WOAC)              Apache License


Martin