Java problem

[Les Mikesell]

Alan Cox wrote:
>>> Open Solaris
>> Which can't use device drivers that have GPL restrictions - the viral 
>> nature of the GPL has hijacked much of the work that would otherwise be 
>> available for any use.
> 
> Strange use of the word "hijack". The licence was decided by the code
> author, so it would be like saying someone hijacked their own car. The
> licence, if anything, stops Sun hijacking their work.

Sorry, I just don't understand the concept of _wanting_ to prevent the 
distribution of improved versions of code and keeping others from having 
it, while at the same time claiming it is free.

But, as for hijacking, can you assert that no work currently in Linux 
came from unrestricted *bsd style code and had GPL restrictions attached 
to further development, hindering additional innovation?  And that every 
contributor would have chosen to restrict distribution if it had not 
been necessary?

-- 
   Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell at gmail.com