GPL FUD
— March 31st, 2003, 5:12 pm by Chad | Software Libré
In this nifty piece of FUD from a so-called “open source” developer, the author goes on and on about the GNU GPL’s costs to developers and its supposed disincentives to create. He conflates the imitative quality of some GPL software with the innovative character of the free software community as a whole, and their dislike of non-free software companies like Microsoft and its entrenched position in the marketplace with their own pleas for the good will and charity of the community they serve. What always gripes me about these “exposé” pieces is that there’s nothing in them (other than this character assassination) except “this is why I won’t use the GPL for my software, so you shouldn’t either.” Frankly, I don’t know who he thinks is twisting his arm.
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