[ Thanks to Brendan Scott for this
link. ]
“One meme which has previously enjoyed some popularity is the
idea that Linux is prone to, or likely to, ‘fork’–that is, to
split into a number of separate, possibly competing, branches.
Ironically, this argument is based on Linux’s greatest
strength–its licensing terms. The argument is that forks can arise
because Linux’s license at least inhibits, and possibly prevents,
forced centralized control of strategic direction of the Linux
kernel. Having asserted that the licencing permits the creation of
forks the argument continues, by reference to the UNIX Wars of the
multiplicity of Linux distributions, that this is a bad thing. In
this paper we argue that the licensing regime for Linux is its
great strength and that, over the long term, it encourages
consolidation. We argue further that the creation of forks under
these licensing terms promotes innovation and competition and is
therefore a good thing both for Linux and for the economy…”
Complete Story (PDF Document)