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Linus Torvalds says GPL v3 violates everything that GPLv2 stood for

TFiR · interview · Watch on YouTube

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What it is

A short TFiR clip of Linus Torvalds explaining why he thinks GPLv3 violates what GPLv2 stood for. He describes why he chose GPLv2 for kernel development and his view of the FSF's approach.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Cited again and again in GPL licensing debates as the primary source for Linus's objections to GPLv3.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2015, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “Here is an excellent video of Linus talking about why he specifically chose the GPLv2”

    Linus on why he chose GPLv2 and his feelings about GPLv3

    rkowalick, 2018-01 · Recommendation · in “Antique BeOS Content by Scot Hacker (2011)”

  2. “he has a very reasonable and convincing argument against it.”

    Linus explaining his take on GPLv3 and the or-later clause

    jraph, 2021-09 · Recommendation · in “60x speed-up of Linux “perf””

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: linus torvalds, gplv3, gplv2, open source licensing, tivoization

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