GPL version 4

[Frans]

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:06:15 +0800, Morton Harrow wrote:

> Dear gentlemen (and included list-members),
> 
> Let me first introduce myself. My name is Morton Harrow, senior
> GNU/Linux consultant in the London metropolitan area. I have been around
> in the Open Source world since the early beginning. I am very happy with
> the spirit and efforts of the Free Software Foundation (FSF).
> 
> As the name mentions “free”, one would think this organisation embraces
> real freedom. I can't help but feel that the FSF has made a mistake with
> the release of the third version of the GPL (GPLv3). This license
> restricts the freedom and usage of open source software for governments,
> companies and end-users alike. Linking from other software which is not
> regarded by the FSF as free software, is not allowed by this license. I
> can't help but wonder if this is the freedom the FSF intensions. Real
> free should be that users are allowed link any software against GPL
> licensed software, without restrictions. But the current “freedom”
> restricts the spirit of Richard M. Stallman's original vision on a free
> world.
> 
> We propose to release as soon as possible, version 4 of the General
> Public License.
> 
> The GPL version 4 will accept every other license, accepted by the Open
> Source Initiative as open source. Corporate usage of GPL released
> software should be possible without restrictions. Linking from closed
> source software to GPLv4 software and libraries will be permitted. GPLv4
> software can be shipped in (commercial) closed source software. Only
> this and the original authors need to be mentioned. Also, I believe the
> copyright of the FSF software should be transferred to the United
> Nations. As “human knowledge belongs to the world.”
> 
> Our planned release date of GPLv4 is 15th September 2008. The first
> software to be released under the terms of this new license, will be a
> continuation of the stalled ReiserFS project. As the FSF headers allow
> software to be released under the terms of the GPLv2 or higher, we will
> prepare automatic relicensing of GPLv2 and GPLv3 software to the GPLv4.
> 
> If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
> 
> With kind regards,

See http://lkml.org/lkml/2008/7/16/321 for this troll.

And see Adrian Bunk's reply: http://lkml.org/lkml/2008/7/16/325 :

<quote>
ROTFL
I've double-checked my calendar - today isn't April 1st.
Please don't feed the troll.
</quote>

Oh, I just fed the troll :-(

    -Frans