"The real issue is often missed in the argument over the GPL vs a BSD-style license as advocated by Microsoft: Am I allowed to make something and give it away without the threat of someone exploiting my work? Is a "community" allowed to be charitable without having their charity abused? Can a group of people collaborate and create "Intellectual Property", put it under a license that insures that it can be shared with anybody? Is this legal? Does it have precedent in America (any country for that matter)? The reality, more basic and not all that glamorous for the people wishing to retain "control" over "Intelectual Property", is that communities hold strong societies together. Communities rarely intersect with corporate interest. They can do so at times (witness Red Hat for example), but it's not a necessity," says Paul Ferris.