on GPL specifically [Re: Suggested text for text vs code]

[Brian E Carpenter <brc at zurich.ibm.com>]

...
> However, I believe it doesn't make sense to decrease the quality of a
> specification by removing code that is only available under, say, the
> GPL.  That works against the goals of the IETF of having
> specifications implemented widely and quickly.  Some code is better
> than no code in a document.

The specific problem with GPL is that if GPLed code is included
in a standard, any implementor who cannot accept the risk
of GPL contamination in his or her code is going to have a heck
of a time understanding the standard without inadvertently reading
the GPL code. It might be necessary to have a colleague outside the
clean room blank out those sections of the RFC first. I think
we should avoid that.

As already observed, it can be avoided by contributing the code
to the IETF process directly instead of via a GPLed document.
Nobody is forced to put their code under GPL before contributing
it to the IETF.

   Brian

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