Comments on: HP balks at patent provision in GPL update

So far, Hewlett-Packard prefers the earlier GPL, raising the specter that two versions of the license will survive.

[WJeansonne]

It Was Only A Matter of Time

I love it. The wonderful world of capitalism is beginning to split the GPL in half. And who knows, maybe thirds, forths and fiths if we're lucky. This stupid utopian concept of free software is ridiculous. Who in there right mind would develop software, laboring intensely, so that someone else could copy and enhance or cheat their way to success and profits over the originator. A fool, that's who.

[rcrusoe]

Never argue with a fool

You run the risk that people can't tell the two of you apart.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

It was only a matter of time.

I love it. The wonderful concept of monarchy is beginning to split the country in half. And who knows, maybe thirds, forths and fiths if we're lucky. This stupid utopian concept of democracy is ridiculous. Who in there right mind would want to listen to the opinion of the "average person", getting only a single vote so that stupid dirty poor people could all get together and override the will of the Previleged Elite? A fool, that's who.

[dargon19888]

There are two issues... Software Patents and ...

"Free Software".

IMHO, the majority of software patents don't hold water. Note: I said majority, there are some works that are truly patentable.

Having said that, what you're seeing is those companies with the deep pockets to back the "free software", they want to protect their investment. After all, they are there to make money.

Even Stallman the founder of the free software movement believed in selling support.

But I do agree with your comment. There are many misconceptions of the Open/Free Software movement and that when you get companies like IBM, HP, SUN, Oracle, etc getting involved, you will see that they will take control to their advantage.

Also remember that in today's software start-up company's business plan, you want to grow to a certain point, then get bought out by a larger fish. ... But that's another story.

The sad truth... GPL does more to protect IP than other licenses like Apache.

But hey! What do I know? ;-)

[Seaspray0]

Whatever form, the results are impressive

The fact that thousands of people would collaberate on a common software project and produce results that can rival that of Corporate programs and receive no compensation.... Amazing! The GPL has proven it's worth.