# GPLv3 License The GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) was released in 2007 after extensive public consultation led by [[Richard Stallman]] and the [[Free Software Foundation (FSF)]]. It addresses issues that emerged since [[GPLv2 License|GPLv2]]: software patents, "Tivoization" (hardware that runs GPL software but prevents modified versions), and digital restrictions management (DRM). GPLv3's anti-Tivoization provisions proved controversial; [[Linus Torvalds]] kept the Linux kernel on GPLv2, arguing that preventing hardware restrictions was overreach. Despite this, GPLv3 has been adopted by major projects including GCC, GNU Bash, and Samba, and its patent provisions provide stronger legal protection. ## Key Improvements Over GPLv2 - **Explicit patent grant**: Contributors grant patent licenses - **Anti-Tivoization**: Hardware must allow running modified software - **Anti-DRM**: Cannot use GPL code to restrict users - **Better internationalization**: Clearer legal language - **Compatibility**: Works with Apache 2.0 and other licenses ## Notable GPLv3 Projects - **GCC**: GNU Compiler Collection - **GNU Bash**: Default shell - **Samba**: Windows file sharing - **WordPress**: Blogging platform - **GIMP**: Image editor ## GPLv3 Controversy The anti-Tivoization clause divided the community: - **FSF view**: Hardware restrictions violate software freedom - **Torvalds view**: License should cover software, not hardware policy ## References - https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Version_3 ## Related - [[GNU General Public License (GPL)]] - [[GPLv2 License]] - [[Affero General Public License (AGPL)]] - [[Richard Stallman]] - [[Free Software Foundation (FSF)]] - [[Linus Torvalds]]