The GNU GPL is the most widely used free software license worldwide: Almost three quarters of all free software packages are distributed under this license. Version 3 of the GPL brings to a close 18 months of public outreach and comment, but it might not answer all of the open-source community's concerns over Microsoft 's patent deals with Novell and others. And it opens questions about the iPhone's software.

The primary author of the GPL is Richard Stallman, president and founder of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and creator of the GNU Project. With his first revision of the license in 16 years, version 3 of the GPL fights what Stallman sees as the most recent attempts to take the freedom out of free software.

Specifically, version 3 attacks what Stallman called "tivoization," which he said could be a problem for Apple and the iPhone.

Tivoization and the iPhone

"Tivoization" is a term coined by the FSF to describe devices that are built with free software, but that use technical measures to prevent the user from making modifications to the software. GPLv3 promises to put a stop to the practice.

The FSF is posing questions about the iPhone, chiefly whether it contains software governed by the GPL. Peter Brown, executive director of the FSF, said Steve Jobs and Apple released a product crippled with proprietary software and digital restrictions -- crippled, he argued, because a device that isn't under the control of its owner works against the interests of its owner.

"We know that Apple has built its operating system , OS X, and its Web browser, Safari, using GPL-covered work," Brown said in a statement. "It will be interesting to see to what extent the iPhone uses GPLed software."

Bigger Issues on Tap

Tivoization aside, the bottom line is that version 3 of the GPL is going to cause a period of confusion for many developers , according to Dana Gardner, principal analyst at Interabor Solutions and former Linux analyst at Yankee Group.

"I suppose this may increase the complexity and cost of dealing with open source because here's yet another license," he explained. "Developers will now have to determine if, by default, they are under this license and understand what its implications are."

GPLv3 could add considerably more hours to a lawyer's billing cycles, Gardner added, but there are some upsides. The compatibility with the Apache Foundation license is a benefit that will simplify issues surrounding Apache and GPL licensing. That is a long-term plus, Gardner said.

The issue that remains is the Microsoft-Novell alliance in light of the new GPL, which covers such partnerships with commercial software vendors. If the Microsoft-Novell deal is impacted by the new license, Gardner said, it could remove some of the impetus for Microsoft to engage in its Linux alliance deals and free up open-source users from any concern about litigation.