The GNU General Public License (GPL) is one of the most popular Free Software licenses in the world. More than 70% of all Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) released publically is released by developers under the GNU GPL. The current version of this license is version 2.0 which was last updated in June 1991.Since then, a lot more challenges have turned up before the Free Software community. The new GNU GPL Version 3.0 draft hopes to address the shortcomings in the current GPL version to meet today's technology and software licensing demands.

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is trying to ensure that the new GPL draft gets widespread publicity,debate and review to ensure that it meets all the techno-legal requirements of both users and software developers.

This conference, organised by the Free Software Foundation of India (FSF-I) aims to achieve the following:

  1. Hold an International Free Software event in Bangalore which would have world-wide representation from Free Software activists and advocates especially in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka etc.
  2. Organise a forum to launch, promote, discuss and review the new GPLv3 draft
  3. Highlight the importance of Free Software and Free Software licensing to developer, user and legal communities in India as well as the government and policy makers
  4. Have public discussion on software-related legal issues like DRM (Digital Rights Management), Software patents etc. and increase awareness about the long and short terms pitfalls of these

Who are expected to attend this conference ?

  • Developers
Free Software licensing is extensively used by the developers. It is necessary to educate developers on the changes in the new GPLv3 license.
  • Legal Fraternity
The legal community should be aware of the legal ramifications of the GPL.
  • Industry Gurus
Domain experts influence the adoption of Free Software licensing in industry and the business community.
  • Intellectuals
To throw more light on the issue.
  • Teaching Fraternity
To understand our objectives, reflect this with a changed curriculum and motivate students to contribute to the free software movement.
  • Students
To add fresh life to the free software movement.

Tracking Changes in GPLv3

There has numerous changes in the drafts of GPLv3 Licence. The changes between draft 1 and draft 2 of GPLv3 and also the changes from the between the existing GPLv2 and draft 2 of GPLv3 are presented here.

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