Available Quote by Linus Torvalds
“I changed the Linux copyright license to be the GPL some time in the first half of 1992. Mostly because I had hated the lack of a cheaply and easily available UNIX when I had looked for one a year before.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Early Linux development, 1992
He switched to the GPL to ensure free, accessible UNIX‑like systems after frustration with unavailable cheap alternatives.
In simple terms: He adopted GPL to make a free, easy‑to‑obtain OS.
Key Takeaway
Choose licenses that promote openness and accessibility.
Themes
software freedom
open source
licensing
community
innovation
Mood
pragmatic
inspirational
technical
Type
educational
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- open source projects
- startup tech stacks
- educational labs
- community building
Key Concepts
intellectual property law
software development
collaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- Why is openness more important than profit in software?
- How does licensing affect community growth?
A Different Perspective
GPL may limit commercial flexibility for some developers.
