The BitKeeper problem led to name calling between Torvalds and Tridgell. Later a system called git was developed by Torvalds and other kernel developers to handle the management of the Linux source code.

Of course, when Stallman made the point in 2002, many people poured scorn on him. But he was eventually proved right.

A second instance where Stallman's cautiousness and long-term thinking have proved to be the sensible option is the requirement set down by the GNU Project that all code contributors to the project should sign a copyright waiver. If they are producing the code on their employer's time, then the employer is required to sign a waiver. It sounds bureaucratic and legalistic.

In 2003, the SCO Group sued IBM over alleged contract violation, claiming that code which it (SCO) owned had been contributed to Linux by IBM. SCO proceeded to complain to the media about a large number of such alleged violations - and many of these claims could have been shot down pronto if Torvalds had insisted on just such waivers from kernel developers. Such waivers would have proved without a shadow of doubt that code sample X belonged to person A who had transferred its copyright to the Linux kernel. After the SCO case, it became a requirement.

Of course, Stallman is not right at every turn. He can be annoying at times with his insistence on minor details. But it would be good to realise that the massive ecospace which FOSS occupies now is due in no small way to the idealism of one extremely intelligent man, a brilliant programmer, who walked out of a very highly-paid job one day because he wanted to produce a free (as in speech, not beer) operating system.

Stallman's answer to DRM and deals like that which Novell struck with Microsoft is the GPLv3. Torvalds has said that the Linux kernel will remain under GPLv2.

As it was in 1998, the software ecosphere is now full of people seeking to turn every bit and byte into a money-making opportunity - no matter what it infringes upon. One can turn a blind eye to things but then it is good to bear in mind that sometimes these very things can come back to bite. .{moscomment}

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Intellectual property rights  Linux  Open Source  Sam Varghese  Software