Suggested migration to GPLv3

The rdesktop source code is currently licensed as GPLv2+. We at Cendio
believes that GPLv3 is preferred, and since the source is v2+, we have
the option to switch. GPLv2 is old, from the Windows 3.0 era. We
believe that this updated license is improved in many ways, and better
protects the users' and developers' freedoms.  Examples are explicit
prohibitions of patent deals like the Novell-Microsoft one. The added
protection against tivoization is also an important addition. There is
also a bunch of minor things, like how you are given a grace period to
remedy any breaches.

For more information about Tivoization, see 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivoization. We are aware of that some 
manufacturers of thin client terminals ships rdesktop but prevents 
installation of modified versions. We believe that this denies users some 
of the freedom that the GPL was designed to protect. An upgrade to v3 
would solve this problem.

If we proceed with the migration, the source code and license document 
would simply be updated from 2+ to 3+. New code and modifications would be 
3+. Future releases would be marked as GPLv3. Note that it is already ok 
to distribute rdesktop under the v3 terms. The "migration" would in 
essence remove the possibility of distribute rdesktop as GPLv2.

I/Cendio volunteer to do the practical work.

Rgds, 
---
Peter Åstrand		ThinLinc Chief Developer
Cendio AB		http://www.cendio.com
Wallenbergs gata 4
583 30 Linköping	Phone: +46-13-21 46 00

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