DRM is not new, but the GPLv3 is over-regulating. WTF? [LWN.net]

DRM is not new, but the GPLv3 is over-regulating. WTF?

Posted Sep 27, 2006 9:33 UTC (Wed) by xoddam (subscriber, #2322)
In reply to: GPLv3 & additional permissions/restrictions by mingo
Parent article: Some GPLv3 clarifications from the FSF

> DRM is not really a "new area of IP", it is something that
> has existed for a long time and which roots in plain copyright.

Copy-protection mechanisms themselves have indeed existed for a long
time, but they did not come to Free Software until the Tivo, long after
the GPLv2 was introduced. In that sense, DRM is new.

And far more significantly than that, the DMCA is new. Copy-protection
and tamper-prevention are one thing; laws prohibiting workarounds in the
absence of any actual violation of "plain copyright" are another.

> (i have mentioned many reasons against trying to over-regulate...)

The GPLv3 is not "trying to over-regulate". It is a mild attempt at a
workaround for legislative over-regulation in the form of the DMCA and
the equivalent laws imposed by governments around the world who are
tripping over themselves to sell their countries' wealth and freedom to
private interests.

Dear Ingo and fellow kernel-developers,

A GPLv3 operating system kernel would be a great boon to freedom. Please
consider providing one.

Regards,

Jonathan Maddox (xoddam)

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