Free Software Foundation (FSF) has updated their by-laws so that approval by 66% of its Directors is required to approve any new versions of the GNU General Public License (GPL). They've also announced a call or nominations to select new Directors.
The GNU General Public License (GPL) is the main copyleft licence of free and open source software. The current version, GPLv3, was published in 2007 to address problems that didn't exist when version 2 was published in 1991. The main author, Richard Stallman, has stated that he hopes a v4 will never be needed. But, as technology and the legal context evolve, if new problems arise, and if they can be solved by updating the licence, then a v4 may be needed ((Richard Stallman will be giving a presentation on 17 March, with time for questions & answers, where the GPL and FSF's goals are likely to be discussed.)
As legal owner of the GPL, FSF can publish new versions, but they are subject to certain obligations. First is a legal obligation which is in section 14 of GPLv3:
The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of the GNU General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.
Second is what could be called a community obligation. The GPL, as a copyleft licence, ensures that all future versions of a software package are also free / open source software. This is in line with FSF's goals, so, broad adoption of the GPL and ensuring that projects move to new versions of the GPL are surely important to FSF. This means new versions of the GPL need the approval of the broader free / open source software community. To help ensure projects would move to GPLv3, the drafting was done in a process during which a year and a half was spent in consultations with as many projects and companies as possible. Giving the community input into nominating the Board of Directors is thus also a good idea.
The call for nominations for new Directors is part of an ongoing process to update its by-laws. With many governments increasing their expertise in free / open source software, there might be some candidates for this role.