[ILUG] Novell A Linux Leader? GPL 3 and

[Ciaran O'Riordan]

Colm MacCarthaigh <colm at stdlib.net> writes:
> If all desktop computer hardware contains DRM, then by implication there
> would be zero market for DRM-free hardware, so there would be no problem -
> since noone would care.

Not true.  There are only a handful of companies can that manufacture whole
desktop PCs at reasonable prices.  An agreement could be reached between
them to only sell hardware with non-user-controlled-DRM.  This can happen
whether anyone cares or not.

> > You're suggesting is that software licences should stand back and rely on a
> > plan that is guaranteed to fail.
> 
> How is it guaranteed to fail? Would the source code suddenly become
> unusable? Would I suddenly become unable to run that code elsewhere?

I explained this.  There would be no "elsewhere".

> You are upset about *hardware* limitations. Something which has nothing
> to do with the software the GPL is licensing. It's not an appropriate
> place to tackle the problem.

The GPL is written to give all recipients of GPL'd software the freedom to
modify the software.  That freedom is a dud if the software cannot be run
after modification.  It would be negligent if the GPL did not try to prevent
being a dud.

-- 
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