The GPL is basically a way to share ideas, knowledge, and software with everyone. Patents were created to spawn innovation by rewarding those who innovate with exclusivity. GPL is a different approach to spawn innovation by doing the exact opposite... ensuring growth in public knowledge, allowing minds to come together to think through problems, and sharing amongst everyone the innovation that results. The GPL gives freedom to people such as the freedom to protect the work they have donated to the community from being taken private by someone else, the freedom to know the software they are using and how it works, and the freedom to know the improvements others make to software which belongs to the community.
If a piece of software you are writing is being developed for sharing and the benefit of the community then use the GPL. If the software you are writing is being developed to pay your rent then don't use the GPL.
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Posted by: EnviroTO on July 18, 2006 08:47 AMIf a piece of software you are writing is being developed for sharing and the benefit of the community then use the GPL. If the software you are writing is being developed to pay your rent then don't use the GPL.
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