On "any later version" in GPL [Was: Re: Promise SATA driver GPL'd]

[Horst von Brand <vonbrand@inf.utfsm.cl>]

Alan Cox <alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk> said:
> On Mer, 2003-07-23 at 11:21, Wichert Akkerman wrote:
> > Previously Matthias Andree wrote:
> > > How about the "or, at your option, any later version" clause in the GPL?
> > 
> > Does everyone use that clause? I certainly don't.
> 
> It is a good idea to do so because otherwise any version can be used,
> including the GPLv1 which is far weaker in some areas.

GPLv1 can't be later than v2, does it?

OTOH, I'd assume v2+N either takes away rights ( == closes loopholes, ==>
no "you" will take the option if they want to make use of the loophole,
i.e., the clause is of no use), or gives more rights to the "you",
something the giver probably did not intend.

Either way, it makes little sense to me (IANAL and all that, anyway).
-- 
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