Michael Dolan Dot Com

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006

Wallace v FSF Case Dismissed, Strengthens GPL Validity

In case you had not heard about the latest pro se attempt to shut down the GPL, the FSF (Free Software Foundation) was taken to court on the argument that the GPL (free) entails price fixing under the Sherman Act in restraint of free trade. Albeit a novel argument, it was not a winning argument as the court basically kicked Wallace out with no possibility to come back. Doubtful he’ll appeal. One great snippet from U.S. D.C. Judge John Daniel Tinder actually bolsters the validity of the GPL:

[T]he GPL encourages, rather than discourages, free competition and the distribution of computer operating systems, the benefits of which directly pass to consumers. These benefits include lower prices, better access and more innovation.