Problem with MPL


On 2007-11-06, Peter Morris <support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
My reason for using the Mozilla license was that I wanted people to be able
to use my source free of charge, but did not want to impose my free choice
on users of my source.

The problem with using a relatively obscure license is that your work is
less likely to be used. Potential users are not going likely to want to
figure out just what is permissible under the MPL and how it interacts
with the GPL In addition, Stallman has strongly criticised the MPL.

"The Free Software Foundation (FSF) considers the license a free
software license, but "not a strong copyleft" one. However, "unlike the
X11 license" the license has "some complex restrictions" making it
incompatible with the GNU GPL. We urge people not to use the license
because of this incompatibility unless the provision in section 13 of
the MPL is exercised to provide the work under either the GPL or any
other GPL-compatible license"
.

Relevant Pages

  • RE: GPL / MPL license issues.
    ... I heard original developer of these code (David Hinds) ... GPL / MPL license issues. ...
    (Linux-Kernel)
  • Re: Problem with MPL
    ... The Problem with GPL is that you can't use GPL code in close source ... That is where the MPL shines over the GPL, ... The problem with using a relatively obscure license is that your work is ... because of this incompatibility unless the provision in section 13 of ...
    (borland.public.delphi.non-technical)
  • Re: Open Source - Licensing
    ... I am not, in principle, too fussed about the license itself, but using some third party components (all of which are Open Source), no doubt that I have to be careful. ... In fact, the third party components that I use come under one or several of the following licenses: BSD, MPL 1.0, MPL 1.1, GPL and LGPL. ... GPL has huge huge huge issues. ...
    (borland.public.delphi.non-technical)
  • Re: Open Source - Licensing
    ... But the only code that I use and that comes under the GPL license ... (namely SynEdit) ... GPL or MPL 1.0 license, or did I misunderstand what has been said ...
    (borland.public.delphi.non-technical)
  • [PATCH] change libata license from OSL+GPL to GPL
    ... - changes license of all code from OSL+GPL to plain ole GPL ... indicate your decision by deleting the provisions above and ...
    (Linux-Kernel)