What is the difference between GPLv1 to GPLv2, in simple words?

Question

In plain, simple English, what is the difference between GPL (version 1) to GPL (version 2)?

Answer 1

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Version_1:

GPLv1 disallows binary-only distribution and the "viral" behavior that modifications need to be under GPLv1, too.

GPLv2 includes that distribution is not allowed if binary-only is the only possible distribution (e.g. due to some odd court decision). Additionally, the LGPL was introduced together with GPLv2.

Answer 2

(IANAL, etc.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License#Version_2:

According to Richard Stallman, the major change in GPLv2 was the "Liberty or Death" clause, as he calls it — Section 7. This section says that if somebody has restrictions imposed that prevent him or her from distributing GPL-covered software in a way that respects other users' freedom (for example, if a legal ruling states that he or she can only distribute the software in binary form), he or she cannot distribute it at all.

LGPL was also introduced in v2.

Answer 3

Isn't largely irrelevant as the GPL 2 dates back to June 1991 (!!) and replaced the predecessor which nobody uses anymore?

A more relevant question may be about the differences between GPL 2 and 3.