An especially novel aspect of this lawsuit, quoting the press release:
> This approach makes it the first legal case that focuses on the rights of individual consumers as third-party beneficiaries of the GPL.
> “That’s what makes this litigation unique and historic in terms of defending consumer rights,” says Karen M. Sandler, the organization’s executive director.
In the past, GPL enforcement has been a cause of action brought by the copyright holder. This suit is on behalf of users, as beneficiaries of the GPL. If this suit is successful, it'll no longer be necessary to prove sufficient standing as a copyright holder of GPLed code in order to enforce the license; it'll suffice to show that you're a user who wishes to make use of the rights provided under the license.
> This approach makes it the first legal case that focuses on the rights of individual consumers as third-party beneficiaries of the GPL.
> “That’s what makes this litigation unique and historic in terms of defending consumer rights,” says Karen M. Sandler, the organization’s executive director.
In the past, GPL enforcement has been a cause of action brought by the copyright holder. This suit is on behalf of users, as beneficiaries of the GPL. If this suit is successful, it'll no longer be necessary to prove sufficient standing as a copyright holder of GPLed code in order to enforce the license; it'll suffice to show that you're a user who wishes to make use of the rights provided under the license.