Despite continued infighting between the Free Software and Open Source communities, the OSI has blessed the new AGPLv3 license.
Late last week the AGPLv3 license (Affero GNU Public License) formally completed the OSIβs (Open Source Initiative) license review process. The AGPL license differs from the ubiquitous GPL license in a number of important ways, the biggest of which closes the so-called βASP loopholeβ.
When modifying a GPL licensed package, the organization or individual modifying the package must share the source code of their changes if they redistribute the software. The original GPL never accounted for the fact that SaaS (Software as a Service) providers like Google and Amazon would be able to modify GPL licensed software and keep those changes secret while charging people to use services built on those GPL packages.
The main motivation behind the AGPL is to close the βASP loopholeβ in the same manner that the move from GPLv2 to GPLv3 was motivated by the perceived need to close the βTivoisation loopholeβ. Tivoisation is the term coined to describe TiVoβs processes of using digital signatures to ensure that no one could load non TiVo approved code on a TiVo box. This meant that even though TiVo boxes ran modified GPL packages, the source code of which TiVo made available, users could not modify the TiVo software and get it to run on the TiVo hardware.
Both GPLv3 and AGPL have stirred up much controversy. Both are the indicative of the theological divide between the Free Software movement and the Open Source movement. These are two camps with similar ideals and goals, yet fundamental differences that separate them. As with any theological debate, rhetoric is often at odds with coexistence, cooperation and advancement. Richard Stallman, the director of the FSF (Free Software Foundation) and the chief evangelist for GPLv3 and AGPL is well known for his rants against the Open Source movement.
Iβm sure the idea of having FSF licenses seek approval from the OSI makes Stallman nauseous. I noticed that it wasnβt the FSF that requested OSI approval for AGPL, but rather Funambol, an early AGPL adopter which guided AGPL through its approval process at the OSI.
As in the Sunni β Shiite divide in Islam, the split and infighting between the Free Software and Open Source communities does not help either group achieve their individual goals and further interferes with them being able to achieve their common goals.
The current FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) licensing models are a mess. Stephen O'Grady at RedMonk points out that releasing software under multiple licenses is becoming a common occurrence. This is not a good development for those of us seeking wider adoption of FOSS software at work, school and our friendsβ homes. The complexity, uncertainty and compliance issues caused by the proliferation of FOSS license types help no one.
Do you think this will affect FOSS adoption?
Comments
Add CommentBy on Mar. 17, 2008
Not a huge deal, but it is kind of insensitive comparing the FSF/FOSS divide controversy to the Sunni-Shiite divide in Iraq. People are losing their lives in the latter, so any divide in the former is really not very contentious.
By on Mar. 17, 2008
This could not possibly help. It just adds to the overhead of investigating what you can and cannot do with your license, and what versions you support. The ASP rule at least didn't slow web-apps based companies down. Now you will have to check and see how and where to make changes and source code available, and how to mix and match licenses for web apps too.
I never mentioned Iraq.
The Sunni-Shiite schism is centuries old and has taken many forms. When I made the analogy in my post I was referring to how a single disagreement about the line of succession following the prophet Mohamed's death has led to hundreds of years of infighting between sects that share many core values.
However, your point is well taken that the OS-FS debate has not led to any bloodshed -- yet. With zealots on both sides, it may just need a few hundred years to ferment.
By on Mar. 19, 2008
Like the Sunni-Shia divide, or like Jerry Falwell and Larry Flynt; they way peanut butter and chocolate merge together yet somehow taste separate...
As the moon orbits the earth while the earth itself is in flight, or the way night precedes day as much as day precedes night...
Just as one becomes two before two become one, the OS-FS debate doesn't sound like much fun.
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