Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
Version 3 of the GNU General Public License: Major Changes for Open Source Software Licensing
The Free Software Foundation ('FSF') this summer published the final, official new version of the GNU General Public License, GPLv3. The new version is the result of extensive public comment and heated debate, and could have far-reaching effects on the use of open source software. GPLv3 is the successor to GPL version 2 (GPLv2), first published in 1991, used extensively today, and among the most popular open source licenses available.
GPLv3's key changes include:
- A new approach to patents, including an explicit patent license and a patent non-assertion clause,
- A new requirement that companies conveying GPL-covered code in 'user products' provide the information necessary to install modified versions on those products (a.k.a. 'anti-tivoization'),
- A new approach to digital rights management ('DRM'), including an express waiver of anti-circumvention rights, and
- New language implementing the GPL's 'viral effect,' affecting when it applies and what is required.
New Terms for Patents
Responding to what it calls the 'unwise and ill-considered application of patent law to software' in the years since it released GPLv2, the FSF includes in GPLv3 provisions focused on patents that address in different ways the patents of: 1) entities that modify or otherwise contribute to software that is covered by the GPL, 2) entities that distribute GPL-covered software (whether or not they also modify or otherwise contribute to the software), and 3) non-contributing, non-distributing entities that enter into patent-related agreements with contributors or distributors. See Free Software Foundation, GPLv3 First Discussion Draft Rationale, p.3, at http://gplv3.fsf.org/gpl-rationale-2006-01-16.html.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models
Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.
Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge
As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.
Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator
How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.
Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising
The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.
Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality
This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.