Re: GPL and FSF (was Re: JFS)

[Jason Downs <downsj@downsj.com>]

In message <87bt5ruxqs.fsf_-_@everybody.org>,
	Mark A. Hershberger writes:
>>>>>> "BG" == Brett Glass <brett@lariat.org> writes:
>
>    BG> [The GPL] is also designed to give Stallman's organization,
>    BG> the "Free Software Foundation," control of the fates of as
>    BG> many open source computer programs and libraries as possible.
>
>Software put under the GPL is not necessarily owned or controled by
>the FSF.

You're right, it's not.  But the license is.

To quote:

``The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions
of the General Public License from time to time.  Such new versions will
be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to
address new problems or concerns.

Each version is given a distinguishing version number.  If the Program
specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any
later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions
either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
Software Foundation.  If the Program does not specify a version number of
this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
Foundation.''

Now, granted, someone could say that their work can *only* be licensed under
a *specific* revision of the GPL, but I don't recall seeing anyone ever
actually do that.

--
Jason Downs
downsj@downsj.com

		    Think securely.  http://www.openbsd.org/