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In Simple Terms, what is the real difference between GPLv2 and GPLv3? And should I really care?

By ericmister - Apr. 01, 2008

I'm sure there are some legal ramifications but should I really care/be worried?


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  1. By an anonymous user on Apr. 02, 2008

    Here's a couple of benefits of v3 over v2:


    1. The 2 are incompatible - i.e. you can't combine code from a GPLv2 app and a GPLv3 app into a single program

    2. GPL3 blocks tivoization

    3. v3 protects against Microsoft-Novell like patent deals and extend the limited patent protection (that Novell customers recd. as part of the deal) to the whole community


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  2. By cmsboy on Apr. 02, 2008

    What is "tivoization"?


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  3. By an anonymous user on Apr. 03, 2008

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivoization


    From there -

    Tivoization is the creation of a system that incorporates software under the terms of a copyleft software license, but uses hardware to prevent users from running modified versions of the software on that hardware. Richard Stallman coined the term and believes this practice denies users some of the freedom that the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) was designed to protect. The term came about in reference to TiVo's use of GNU GPL licensed software on the TiVo brand digital video recorders (DVR).


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