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The GNU GPL, which is the driving force behind the concept of free software, is getting its first major overhaul in 15 years. The revision process, which begins today, is expected to generate a first draft by January 16th 2006, a second draft by the summer of 2006, and a third draft, if needed, by fall of 2006.

…the overhaul of the General Public License, which covers Linux and many other free software programs, is an issue of far greater significance today than before.

“The big boys, corporations and governments, have far more reason to be interested and concerned this time,” said Eben Moglen, general counsel to the Free Software Foundation, which holds the license, commonly known as the G.P.L.

The process will also be closely watched for how the new G.P.L. will take account of software patents, which have exploded among proprietary software developers since 1991, the last time the license was revised.

[via NY Times]

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