Why Linus Torvalds Switched Linux to GPL: Insights from the 2011 Interview

In a 2011 interview with LinuxFR, Linus Torvalds explains why the Linux kernel’s original non‑GPL license was changed to GPL, emphasizing practical needs over moral arguments.

LinuxFR: After about 20 years of Linux development, do you still find it fun?

Linus: Absolutely. It remains challenging and enjoyable, and after two decades I feel comfortable with it.

LinuxFR: Why did you switch the kernel’s license to GPL? Moral or practical?

Linus: Primarily practical. The original license was too strict and obscure; GPL solved those problems and attracted more contributors.

LinuxFR: Do you agree with the moral clauses in the GPL?

Linus: I disdain mixing morality with the GPL, calling it nonsense; morality is private, and imposing it in a license is hypocritical.

LinuxFR: Why is the desktop market harder than servers?

Linus: Desktops are more varied and used daily, requiring support for many tasks, making them more complex than servers, which have stable, predictable workloads.

LinuxFR: Why hasn’t the Linux desktop gained mainstream users? Can the kernel community help?

Linus: It’s a difficult market with strong network effects; users resist changing environments. Technical solutions exist, but social factors dominate.

LinuxFR: Do you fully understand every part of the kernel or trust maintainers?

Linus: I don’t know every part, but I know more than most developers. I rely on maintainers for areas I’m unfamiliar with, offering guidance rather than dictating decisions.