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But GPL for web software is like BSD for desktop software. If you only are running it on a server and not distributing it, you don't have to release your modifications to GPL code. That's why the AGPL exists (but it is unfortunately unpopular).

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Have a look at the top projects on Github and note that most (all?) are MIT or BSD licesed:

https://github.com/popular/watched

Modern web developers don't seem to care and prefer to keep it simple. The GPL definitely hasn't adapted well to a web world.

Agreed. I think the only time I ever saw Stallman pussy out on something was removing the SaaS stuff from the GPL3 and separating it off into the AGPL3. Without even the FSF fully behind Free Software ideals in the web world, things seem quite stagnant on that front now.

In terms of JavaScript, using it on a website almost certainly counts as distribution. Imagine if jquery were GPL.

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