Re: Dangerous back door in the LGPL

--- Steve Langasek <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, May 31, 2002 at 05:32:47PM -0700, Matt Seitz wrote:
> > OK, suppose the FSF suddenly does get bought by Microsoft*.  There are
> > essentially 2 things that can happen:
> 
> > 1.  A new, more restrictive license is issued.  As an extreme example, say
> the
> > new license is that only Microsoft can distribute the code.
> 
> > This would have no effect, since each user can choose to ignore the later
> > version.  
> 
> On the contrary, this is a problem because many people who choose copyleft
> licenses want to prevent anyone from receiving preferential treatment.

I think I see your point.  If Microsoft bought the FSF, what could happen is:
1.  The FSF issues LGPL 3, which says "Only Microsoft can distribute this
work".
2.  Microsoft distributes MS-WINE under LGPL 3.  Microsoft does not have to
distribute source, and no one but Microsoft can distribute MS-WINE or any
derivative work.

I was wrong and you are correct:  The "...or any later version" is dangerous
both because it allows a more restrictive license as well as a less restrictive license.

=====
Sincerely,
Matt Seitz

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