Licenses and revocability, in a paragraph or less. (for the lay-man)

From: freedomfromruin
Date: Mon Oct 01 2018 - 00:07:48 EST


As has been stated in easily accessible terms elsewhere:
"Most courts hold that simple, non-exclusive licenses with unspecified durations that are silent on revocability are revocable at will. This means that the licensor may terminate the license at any time, with or without cause." +

Version 2 of the GPL specifies no duration, nor does it declare that it is non-revocable by the grantor.

(Also note: A perpetual license may violate the rule against perpetuities in various jurisdictions where it is applied not only to real property but additionally to personal property (and the like), which is why the GPL-3's term of duration is set as the duration of copyright on the program (and not "forever"))

+[https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2013/02/the-terms-revocable-and-irrevocable-in-license-agreements-tips-and-pitfalls]