linux-kernel - The GPLv2 is not a contract, it is a revocable license.

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Message-ID: <70c37b00a9e93567059fdc55629ddbd5@redchan.it>
Date:   Sun, 14 Oct 2018 21:35:15 +0000
From:   missingterms@...chan.it
To:     linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, debian-user@...ts.debian.org
Cc:     rms@....org, bruce@...ens.com, esr@...rsus.com,
        moglen@...umbia.edu, bkuhn@...onservancy.org, editor@....net,
        torvalds@...l.org, tcallawa@...hat.com
Subject: The GPLv2 is not a contract, it is a revocable license.

The GPLv2 is not a contract, it is a revocable license.

Enjoy the read:
http://illinoisjltp.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/kumar.pdf

(With full citations).
(PDF attached)

Page 12 starts the relevant discussion.
Page 16 gives the rundown on all the ways the GPL is not a contract.

Later there is a short gloss of state law promissory estopple doctrines, 
but remember: in the case of the linux kernel it, unlike other projects, 
omitted the "or any later version" codicil, and is only under version 2 
of the GPL, which makes no promise of irrevocability by grantor.

(Note: The  SFConservancy conflates clauses that clarify that if a 
licensee's license is automatically revoked for a GPL violation, that 
sub-licensees licenses are not-in-turn automatically revoked)
(Additionally: Clause 0 of GPLv2 specifically defines the "you" in said 
clauses as referring to the licensee (not the grantor), so the 
SFConservancy's conflation is shown to be ever more disengenious)
(Little more that a hope and a prayer to the wind)

So: Not a contract. Is a bare license akin to a property license. And 
there is no "irrevocable by grantor" promise in v2. .: Can be rescinded 
at will.

Download attachment "kumar-gpl-licenses.pdf" of type "application/pdf" (261499 bytes)