Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Torvalds rejects the idea that GPL version 3 inherently attracts more developers.
In plain terms
Licensing rules don't automatically bring in more coders.
What can you take from it?
Don't blame licenses for lack of contributors.

Where it applies

  • license debates
  • community recruitment
  • policy discussions

Putting it to work

  • focus on project value over license
  • avoid overpromising

Questions to consider

  • What actually drives developers?
  • Does license type matter?

Another view

License terms can still affect contributor comfort.

More from Linus Torvalds

  1. So the whole 'We have a list and we're not telling you' should tell you something. Don't you think that if Microsoft actually had some really foolproof patent,…

    Permalink to quote #57
  2. C++ is a horrible language. It's made more horrible by the fact that a lot of substandard programmers use it, to the point where it's much much easier to gener…

    Permalink to quote #59
  3. It's one of those rare 'perfect' kernels. So if it doesn't happen to compile with your config (or it does compile, but then does unspeakable acts of perversion…

    Permalink to quote #56

Related quotes

  1. Making Linux GPL'd was definitely the best thing I ever did.

    Linus TorvaldsLinus Torvalds quote #42
  2. The public-choice theorists would have us believe that nobody ever gets involved in governments or the political arena out of a desire to accomplish public goa…

    Linda McQuaigLinda McQuaig quote #1
  3. Geoff: We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules.

    Alan BennettAlan Bennett quote #1