BitKeeper free license revoked for Linux kernel

Larry McVoy of BitMover revoked the free license for BitKeeper for Linux kernel development, citing reverse-engineering attempts by Andrew Tridgell.

Significance

This act directly triggered Linus Torvalds' decision to create a new, open-source distributed version control system, leading to Git.

Key facts

Date
2005-04-03
Type
controversy
Location
Internet (email exchanges, public announcements)