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Because they had Mir under a CLA which meant Canonical (and only Canonical) could offer it under different terms, which included proprietary licences.

They can't license Ubuntu any way they want, because Ubuntu is 99% software which comes from (and are owned by) other sources, not Canonical.

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I don't understand. Mir is under the GPLv3, what stops anybody from using it any way they want? How was Canonical supposed to profit from it?

GPLv3 = release code, cannot link to proprietary software. For some graphics chipsets some company might (need) to do that. Then you'll need to go to Canonical to get Mir under a special license just for your company. Then Canonical gets some money.

I have nothing against Canonical wanting to follow this. I do not like only one company being able to offer a different license (their CLA). So anything like that is a no-go for me.

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