Three-ing Java: Sun looking at GPL3 Java?
Sun’s Simon Phipps talks about their decision to release Java under "’GPL v2 only’ rather than ‘GPLv2 or any later version’", and the possiblity of moving to GPL3 (once it’s finalised), over at his blog.
…My personal view is that the GPL v3 process has been extraordinary and effective so far in taking a somewhat partisan initial draft and evolving it into a solid license…
…The reason we did not choose to use the GPL v3 for the Java platform yet is because the GPL v3 is not ready to be used…
…Sun could not in good faith commit to using a license sight-unseen for such an important code-base…
…We are certainly not opposed to it, and it would be a huge mistake to read our use of the GPL v2 that way….
It makes for interesting reading, and Simon makes his point eloquently.
The patent and DRM aspects of GPL3 seem more relevant than ever, given the recent deal between Novell and Microsoft. Time will tell whether the expertise being used to shape it will pay off. These issues are important enough to hope that it does.
Related posts:
- GPL Java: An interview with lead Kaffe developer Dalibor Topic
- Java now Free Software (GPL)
- Java now Free Software (GPL) - part 2 (reality check)
- Bruce Perens: Petition against Microsoft-Novell patent agreement
Copyright (c) 2006-2007 Michael J Kaye.
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