Final Version of GPLv3 Likely Delayed

Under the Free Software Foundation's previous roadmap, a so-called "last call" draft of the third GPL revision was due by now, with final release set for March. However, recent comments in the tech press indicate that is no longer the case.

Executive Director Peter Brown has indicated that the FSF is still working on release of the final draft of the specification, and would no longer hold itself to the March deadline. However, the organization's Web site has not been updated to indicate a new date.

In comments to CNET News.com, Brown said that FSF has not "made any decision about the final release date," although offered that the organization hoped to make the final draft available within two to three weeks.

GPLv3 has seen its share of controversy, with several open source luminaries attempting to put their two cents into the licensing standard. The most notable of these was Linux creator Linus Torvalds, who threatened to not support GPLv3 over disagreements with its policies on digital rights management.

The next version of the GPL would also make illegal deals like the one struck between Microsoft and Novell for the cross-licensing of patents, which would protect customers of the companies as well. While the license prevents Microsoft from suing Novell, it does not do the same for Novell's customers.

"We're going to say not just that if you receive the patent license, but if you have arranged any sort of patent licensing that is prejudicial among the downstream recipients, that that's not allowed," FSF Founder Richard Stallman recently said.

When GPLv3 is finally completed, it would be the first revision of the open-source license in over 15 years, and would update the license to cover many modern-day uses not considered at that time.