[ILUG] Novell A Linux Leader? GPL 3 and

[Ciaran O'Riordan]

AJ McKee <aj.mckee at gmail.com> writes:
> Secondly whats you take on GPL 3 and Linus' take on it. BTW this all
> comes to light after reading
> http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/06/torvalds_gpl_analysis/

I don't understand what's annoying Linus.

One thing that hasn't been clarified in any of the articles that I've read
is that the draft GPLv3 does not forbid all uses of DRM, it only requires
that users be put in control of the DRM.

So if you want to use DRM to make your computer more secure, that's fine.

If you give me some GPL'd software and tell me that I have the freedom to
modifiy it but that if I do so, my computer will be a brick, that's not
fine.  Is that not just common sense?  What would the GPL be for if it
allowed that?

The way this is done is in the new definition of "Complete Corresponding
Source Code":

  Complete Corresponding Source Code also includes any encryption or
  authorization codes necessary to install and/or execute the source code of
  the work, perhaps modified by you, [...]

I wonder if he just doesn't understand the draft GPLv3 yet - or if he simply
hasn't read it.  Linus has sent inflammatory emails with _lots_ *of*
/highlighted/ "NEVERS" before, and has later changed his mind.


I've put links and information about the GPLv3 and the consultation process
on IFSO's site:
http://www.ifso.ie/projects/gplv3.html


-- 
Ciarán O'Riordan, _________|  Support free software: join FSFE's Fellowship
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