The GPL doesn't give e.g. Linus, a privileged position where he can sell Linux forks but others cannot. For him to do that with a GPL Linux, he'd either need to

The GPL doesn't give e.g. Linus, a privileged position where he can sell Linux forks but others cannot. For him to do that with a GPL Linux, he'd either need to make everyone sign a CLA saying he owns their contributions, or not accept external contributions. I think it's fair to say Linux would not have taken off so much in that situation. "Fair code" loses the symmetry of licenses, and gives the maintainer an advantage over users. This is especially egregious for services that arguably would not have reached the extent they have now without the comfort and promotion provided by being open source.