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The Free Software Foundation has approved the Affero GPL for Software as a Service applications, reports E Commerce News. The new GPL is based on the GNU GPLv3 but includes terms to let users access source code for software accessed over a network.

In the article, analyst Laura DiDio points out how the new GPL reflects a growing trend toward SaaS.

CNET News also covered the announcement, pointing out that:

"The Affero GPL license is increasingly relevant as companies such as Google employ customized open-source software to run massive online businesses with no requirement for sharing. However, intellectual property attorney Eben Moglen, who helped craft GPLv3, said other pressure can be brought to bear if companies take advantage of GPL software without reciprocating."

The Free Software Foundation apparently hopes that the Affero GPL will help with that issue. CNET reports that the FSF said that code written under GPL and Affero GPL may be combined in some circumstances.

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Posted by: Roberto Galoppini at November 22, 2007 05:49 PM | Permalink