Re: Who needs to pick a license?

On Sun, 20 Apr 2025 17:55:24 +0200, Adam Twardoch (List) wrote:

> If the whole licensing construct is "you can choose the A set of
> terms, or the B set of terms", and the A set of terms (license) says
> "only this license grants you permission" or something like that =E2=80=94
> that clause only kicks in if you "choose" license A. If you "choose"
> license B, then A is of no interest of you.

During the discussion that led up to the formulation of GPLv3, Eben
Moglen explained, more than once, the difference between a =E2=80=9Ccontrac=
t=E2=80=9D
and a =E2=80=9Clicence=E2=80=9D. GPL is a =E2=80=9Clicence=E2=80=9D. Here a=
re the parts I quoted again:

GPLv2 <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.en.html>
(section 5):

    You are not required to accept this License, since you have not
    signed it. However, nothing else grants you permission to modify
    or distribute the Program or its derivative works.

and GPLv3 <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html> (section 9):

    You are not required to accept this License in order to receive or
    run a copy of the Program. ... However, nothing other than this
    License grants you permission to propagate or modify any covered
    work.

Saying =E2=80=9Cyou are not required to accept=E2=80=9D is not a =E2=80=9Ct=
erm=E2=80=9D of the licence;
it=E2=80=99s a simple statement of fact.