This old GPL hoary chestnut comes up again and again. The GPL is not a political document. It is an economic document that aims to give end users the right to m

This old GPL hoary chestnut comes up again and again. The GPL is not a political document. It is an economic document that aims to give end users the right to modify their equipment. Virtually any one who owns a fully mechanical device has access to its workings and with the necessary tools and knowledge (which can be hired or bought) can make changes and improvements to the device. If you own an old Mercedes, Ford, or (place your favourite car here), or a John Deere or Massey Ferguson tractor before critical functions become software controlled, you can make any modifications you want and not only that anyone you sell the device to also gains the benefits of those modifications, make any changes and can pass them on the next user. Is that a political benefit or an economic benefit? Try doing that with your Tesla, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfV0_wbjG8KJADuZT2ct4SA/featured https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfV0_wbjG8KJADuZT2ct4SA/fea..., or your new John Deere. The GPL extends this facility to computer programs. How does this become a political thing? It only becomes political when there is the desire to use the legislative and judicial systems to subvert end users ability to enjoy, enhance and repair the products they have bought.