[OSM-legal-talk] Software under GPLv2 / v3

[Rob Myers]

Martijn van Exel wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> We're considering the agreement between NLNet and OpenStreetMap-NL for  
> a €15k grant for software development.
> It states that 'This software platform will be built in open source  
> under GPLv3 license'. It is pointed out that that may be too  
> restrictive, as projects being included in the funding might already  
> be under development under GPLv2. What do you think?

GPL 3 is the better option*, and many projects are switching to it. But 
if it is a requirement that GL2 software be supported then the project 
could specify "GPLv2 or later". This would allow GPLv3 projects to 
incorporate the code as well.

- Rob.

* - In my opinion.