Re: GPL version 3 comments

[penguin]

John Hasler wrote:
> Alfred M. Szmidt writes:
> > I.e. you could modify the GPL into being a non-free license, and
> > still call it the GPL.
>
> I wrote:
> > That does not follow.
>
> Alfred M. Szmidt writes:
> > Yes, it does, if and only if you are permited to modify the GPL.  But the
> > GPL is licensed under the following terms:
>
> The GPL could be licensed under terms that permitted the distribution of
> derivatives provided that the name was changed.
>
> | Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this
> | license document, but changing it is not allowed.
>
> > So you cannot modify it, and thus you cannot make a non-free variant of
> > the GPL.
>
> One can do so with trivial ease by simply adding an exceptions file.
> --
> John Hasler
> john@dhh.gt.org
> Dancing Horse Hill
> Elmwood, WI USA

How would an exeptions file be treated in court?  The GPL needs to fit
every program, and what if someone doesn't see the exeptions file?