Re: Questions

[Richard Stallman <rms gnu org>]

    Of course, most of my work is currently in the X server: we won't accept
    GPL there under any circumstances, due to its "infectious" behavior. 

The idea that the GPL is "infectious" or works "like a virus" is a
very colorful way to express a common misconception about the GPL.
The GPL does not "spread" by mere proximity, the way a virus does.  It
spreads by transplantation and combination of code: if you copy some
GPL-covered code into your program, the GPL comes with it.

So if you want to be accurate, it is better to say that the GPL is
like a rhododendron.  Strangely, though, I rarely see anyone say that.

Comparing something with a virus or an infection, even with
scare-quotes, is a very harsh criticism.  If you say that the license
used by most GNU software, and in particular by most of GNOME, is like
a virus or an infection, that is not good PR for GNOME.  Please try to
avoid that.