[Novalug] Using the GPL on network service protocols?

Demetrius Gallitzin gallitzin@gmail.com
Wed May 16 20:47:55 EDT 2007


Usually I see the GPL applied to application and OS software.  Is
there a reason the GPL isn't used on things like network service
protocols?

I keep thinking how things like IMAP are taken by Microsoft, extended,
and nearly made broken or incompatible with other IMAP servers or
clients. (ie. MS Exchange)

If IMAP and other instances were put under the GPL, would this prevent
this sort of thing?  Extending the GPL to the entire OSI model seems a
bit draconian, but network service protocols seem to be a common point
of failure that companies like to break in order to prevent
interoperability.



More information about the Novalug mailing list