> because most software isn't distributed anymore You're probably thinking of SaaS, but, still, what? I'd argue we distribute software much more than say 20 y

> because most software isn't distributed anymore You're probably thinking of SaaS, but, still, what? I'd argue we distribute software much more than say 20 years ago. Almost every web site you view is distributing non-trivial software (javascript, from maybe a dozen npm packages). App stores are making software distribution much easier for the average user. Programmers are increasingly using dependency managers to download libraries. Even every SaaS service is getting their software from somewhere, and the tech stack is increasingly complex these days, which means even more software being distributed and used. Perhaps what you mean is "software isn't sold anymore", so the money is all in the services. Which is probably true, and this is probably where GPL is becoming irrelevant. But then, it can be argued that the services model was in part the industry's response to the prevalence of GPL, which pushed businesses to find workarounds. People need to make money, and if software sales isn't generating enough dollars because GPL software pushes down the prices people are willing to pay, then they'd just invent reasons for users to buy services instead. -- which, if true, could be interpreted as a success story for the GPL.