Why should the GPL be the default?

If you don't want your software used commercially, don't Open Source (or Free Software) it. Maybe a CC-NC license if you want to give it away for noncommercial use.

The rest of us will continue to use and make OSS and enjoy it without worrying about what others are doing with it.

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globular-toast 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The GPL has nothing to do with usage and what others are doing with it. On the contrary: it explicitly provides the freedom to use the software as you wish, including for commercial use. Even Stallman is against licences that would prohibit commercial use.

But the GPL goes even further than that, and this appears to be the source of your confusion. The GPL stops people redistributing the software under terms that would restrict or prohibit use, including commercial use. The GPL guarantees that anyone receiving the software now or in the future has the same rights you have.

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poulpy123 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Default for people who want their open source work to stay open source and not privatized by billionaire companies.

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stavros an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

Because I want to open source my software AND don't want it used commercially. What's the problem? I just use the AGPL and that's that.

	▲	basilikum 9 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
		The AGPL does not prevent commercial neither as a user nor as a publisher of the software. It even prevents anyone from creating a derivative work from your software and publishing it under a license that prohibits commercial use. Someone can absolutely fork your software and use it commercially. That's what FOSS is about: You shall not limit what other people can do with the software. You may however restrict others from putting restrictions on derivative works of your software. That's what the GPL is all about. You enforce reciprocity and ensure that all works based on your software allow the user the essential freedoms of free software.
	▲	dmantis 12 minutes ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		AGPL doesn't prohibit commercial usage. The vendor just need to provide the sources for the service.