"None of my clients ever redistributed their software, most likely because they considered it a competitive advantage." This kind of thing can get really ugly

"None of my clients ever redistributed their software, most likely because they considered it a competitive advantage." This kind of thing can get really ugly in M&A situations. I love FOSS, but it can lead to some unexpected and unpleasant outcomes, even for seasoned veterans of software development and business. As soon as you're faced with "redistributing" key software to potential bidders so they can do their homework on your company's technical, operational and financial merits, you're in copyleft land, like it or not. Don't get me wrong – I'm not an agent of FUD when it comes to FOSS. I just doubt that most consultant developers are thinking about advisors, accountants, lawyers, private equity, investors, executive and board candidates, etc. when they decide to incorporate GPL'd code. Personally, I think the GPL is a rather poorly-drafted license, and the concept of "distribution" is right at the heart of the issue. Fortunately, its relevance is waning from my point of view – fewer clients showing interest, and I certainly haven't needed anything that wasn't under MIT/BSD in a few years.