---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd like to point out that I don't think…"
description: "\"I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is anything fundamentally superior in the GPL as compared to the BSD license, for example. But the ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg"
---

#  I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is…

![“I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is anything fundamentally superior in the GPL as compared to the BSD license, for example. But the GPL is what I want to program with, because unlike the BSD license it guarantees that anybody who works on the project in the future will also…” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg)

> “I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is anything fundamentally superior in the GPL as compared to the BSD license, for example. But the GPL is what I want to program with, because unlike the BSD license it guarantees that anybody who works on the project in the future will also contribute their changes back to the community.”

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The GPL ensures that contributions remain open, fostering a collaborative community, unlike permissive BSD which allows closed forks.

**In simple terms:** GPL keeps code open for everyone; BSD is more permissive.

Key Takeaway

Choose GPL to protect community contributions.

Themes

open source licensing community collaboration software development

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

technical policy

When to use this quote

- software projects
- open‑source initiatives
- developer teams

Key Concepts

copyleft intellectual property software ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How important is code openness to you?
- What balance between freedom and protection do you prefer?

A Different Perspective

GPL may deter commercial adoption or create legal complexity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bsd License](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bsd-license-4288677/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Example Gpl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example-gpl-4288676/) [Gpl Compared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gpl-compared-4288673/) [Gpl Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gpl-want-4288675/) [Guarantees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarantees/) [Guarantees that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guarantees-that/) [License](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/license/) [Program](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/program/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Superior Gpl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superior-gpl-4288674/) [Superiors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superiors/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/)

## Related quotes

> [If we are looking for one single action which will enable the poor to overcome their poverty, I would go for credit. Money is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-yunus/if-we-are-looking-for-one-single-action-which-will-enable-the-poor-to/)

[Muhammad Yunus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-yunus/)

> [We need to deal with the problem of al Qaeda, make sure that they can't have a sanctuary in Afghanistan and guarantee that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahm-emanuel/we-need-to-deal-with-the-problem-of-al-qaeda-make-sure-that-they-can/)

[Rahm Emanuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahm-emanuel/)

> [This relationship will help guarantee that, for generations to come, people of all nations will understand my beliefs and my purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/this-relationship-will-help-guarantee-that-for-generations-to-come/)

[Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/)

> [We should work to guarantee that there is a midwife or health worker by every woman's side during childbirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liya-kebede/we-should-work-to-guarantee-that-there-is-a-midwife-or-health-worker/)

[Liya Kebede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liya-kebede/)

> [Chefs don't do ponytails and we shouldn't do them because I guarantee that whenever there's a discovery of hair in the food, it's guaranteed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-ramsay/chefs-don-t-do-ponytails-and-we-shouldn-t-do-them-because-i-guarantee/)

[Gordon Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-ramsay/)

> [Had I not gone through the ordeal, in more than one country, of landing a job, I would he tempted to lose patience over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/had-i-not-gone-through-the-ordeal-in-more-than-one-country-of-landing/)

[B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/)

> [To forgive somebody is to say one way or another, "You have done something unspeakable, and by all rights I should call it quits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/to-forgive-somebody-is-to-say-one-way-or-another-you-have-done/)

[Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/)

> [ This bill \[Immigration Reform and Control act of 1986\] is a gamble, a riverboat gamble. There is no guarantee that employer sanctions will work… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-schumer/this-bill-immigration-reform-and-control-act-of-1986-is-a-gamble-a/)

[Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-schumer/)

> [The companies that can afford to do basic research (and can't afford not to) are ones that dominate their markets. ... It's cheap insurance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-x-cringely/the-companies-that-can-afford-to-do-basic-research-and-can-t-afford/)

[Robert X. Cringely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-x-cringely/)

> [It may happen that the enemies of Islam may consider it expedient not to take any action against Islam, if Islam leaves them alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayyid-qutb/it-may-happen-that-the-enemies-of-islam-may-consider-it-expedient-not/)

[Sayyid Qutb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayyid-qutb/)

> [When you buy Fairtrade products you can guarantee that the farmers who have worked hard to grow them get a minimum price. Fairtrade is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/when-you-buy-fairtrade-products-you-can-guarantee-that-the-farmers/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [We can at least see that the question is asked, and asked on the basis of a clear recognition that there is no way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/we-can-at-least-see-that-the-question-is-asked-and-asked-on-the-basis/)

[Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/)

> [As was the case in Requiem for a Dream, Pollock, A Beautiful Mind, House of Sand and Fog, The Hulk and Dark Water, Connelly's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-queenan/as-was-the-case-in-requiem-for-a-dream-pollock-a-beautiful-mind-house/)

[Joe Queenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-queenan/)

> [Full and unhesitating implementation of the report's findings must now follow. I call upon the Labour Party to guarantee that there will be zero…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ephraim-mirvis/full-and-unhesitating-implementation-of-the-report-s-findings-must/)

[Ephraim Mirvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ephraim-mirvis/)

> [I'm rather relaxed about death. From quite an early age I've regarded it as part of the deal, the unwritten guarantee that comes with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-monkhouse/i-m-rather-relaxed-about-death-from-quite-an-early-age-i-ve-regarded/)

[Bob Monkhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-monkhouse/)

## More by Linus Torvalds

> [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

> [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/)

[Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

[Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/)

## More Community quotes

> [Race is the idea that a human being is more superior than another human being, race in society grants illusional rights to mistreat each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/race-is-the-idea-that-a-human-being-is-more-superior-than-another/)

[Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/)

> [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

> [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/)

[Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/)

> [The strains and stresses suffered by the individual in society are grounded in the normal functioning of that society (and of the individual!) rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-marcuse/the-strains-and-stresses-suffered-by-the-individual-in-society-are/)

[Herbert Marcuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-marcuse/)

> [Hackney gets a bit of a bad rap, but it's the only place I've ever lived that felt like a community. I know my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-horgan/hackney-gets-a-bit-of-a-bad-rap-but-it-s-the-only-place-i-ve-ever/)

[Sharon Horgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-horgan/)

> [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/)

[Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/)

> [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/)

[Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/)

> [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/)

[Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/)

> [It rolls off my back. Ridicule doesn't mean anything - even from people you're supposed to wear knee pads around, like the scientific community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schultz/it-rolls-off-my-back-ridicule-doesn-t-mean-anything-even-from-people/)

[Dwight Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schultz/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [I think that most of us, anyway, read these stories that we know are not "true" because we're hungry for another kind of truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-think-that-most-of-us-anyway-read-these-stories-that-we-know-are/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [Human life consists of doing certain things ... to take part in the life of the community; to be able to talk about subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/human-life-consists-of-doing-certain-things-to-take-part-in-the-life/)

[Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/)

> [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/)

[Sheila Kamerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-kamerman/)

> [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [Perhaps the greatest and least visible form of impoverishment caused by the Corporate State is the destruction of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/perhaps-the-greatest-and-least-visible-form-of-impoverishment-caused/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

[Browse all 13,840 Community quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is anything fundamentally superior in the GPL as compared to the BSD license, for example. But the GPL is what I want to program with, because unlike the BSD license it guarantees that anybody who works on the project in the future will also contribute their changes back to the community.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Linus Torvalds"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think-that-there-is-anything/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Community"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think-that-there-is-anything/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/linus-torvalds-1512_community_i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think_1303685.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I'd like to point out that I don't think that there is anything fundamentally superior in the GPL as…” — Linus Torvalds",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Linus Torvalds",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I'd like to point out that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think-that-there-is-anything/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-d-like-to-point-out-that-i-don-t-think-that-there-is-anything/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
