Re: Bitkeeper outrage, old and new

[Jeff Garzik]

Larry McVoy wrote:
> I have no problem with the GPL, I think it's a fine license if your
> goal is to have things done out in the open with no hoarding.  A great
> license, in fact.  But I have a big problem with this constant harping
> on the term "freedom".  The GPL absolutely positively does not grant me
> all the rights I want, it took substantial portions of my freedom away.
> I am not free to use GPL source in any way I wish and neither is anyone
> else.
> 
> I'm OK with you having a free license, go make one.  I'm OK with you 
> sticking with the GPL, but then you get admit that it is not a free
> license and stop kidding yourself and others.

At the potential cost of getting flamed, I think it is worth pointing 
out that the FSF's copyright assignment policy on several of their 
projects is _very_ anti-freedom.  You are required to relinquish all 
your rights to your contributions, in exchange for the hope that the FSF 
will protect them.

So, like the GPL, you are really _giving up_ rights and freedoms for the 
overall cause of software freedom.

	Jeff, who GPLs all the software he writes...