Say what you want about GPLv3, but the update to the most popular open source software license continues to close loopholes that have been used to avoid sharing source code, patent protection and other freedoms that the authors intended. Still, we have yet to see whether this closes off any appeal of the GPL and even open source in general for vendors, developers and users.
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Second draft of GNU SaaS licence: GNU Affero GPL
http://www.fsfe.org –
"FSF have just published the 2nd draft of the GNU Affero GPL. The GNU Affero GPL will be a modified version of GPLv3. The difference, very roughly, is that it includes a requirement that if the software is used on a public server, users must be able to get the source code..."
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Category: Legal Tags:
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Open source encroaches into business
http://www.tectonic.co.za –
A recent study carried out by Saugatuk Technologies, Open Source as Disruptive Influence, has found that open source software's (OSS) uptake by business has exceeded previous expectations by analysts. The report indicated further uptake in coming years.
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The Four Freedoms Applied to Software as a Service
http://www.oreillynet.com –
The Free Software Foundation has defined Four Freedoms related to software. These freedoms apply to users of software, not necessarily developers. In the view of the FSF, these freedoms are ethical in nature, so much so that they argue that software which violates these freedoms is unethical.
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Category: Philosophy Tags:
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The GPL and Software as a Service
http://radar.oreilly.com –
"...free software license requirements to release source code are all triggered by the act of distribution, and that web applications, which are not actually "distributed," are therefore not bound by these licenses....In other words, software delivered as service is now officially not covered by the GPL..."
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