Why the GNU GPL Still Matters
It's the same with software. For example, recently the well-respected coder Zed Shaw explained in detail why he turned to the GNU GPL to prevent free riders. Note that this was not a question of a headstrong creator imposing an arbitrary condition on the use of his software, but a matter of preserving the very dynamics of sharing that made sustained creation possible in the first place.
Contributing to projects that use more permissive licences than the GNU GPL means that it is likely that many will not contribute because of their distaste for free riders.
That doesn't mean that everyone will refuse to contribute on these terms, just that projects using the Apache licence, say, are self-selecting for those who are not so worried by this aspect. But it does undermine the argument advanced by some that more people are likely to join projects with more liberal licences. Yes, people from non-free projects are more likely to join, but it is also likely that those more committed to the idea of sharing on a fair and equal basis will not join.
Also: Why Apache is not the bottom of the open source incline
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