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Linux: GPLv3, DRM, and Exceptions (KernelTrap.org)

Linux: GPLv3, DRM, and Exceptions (KernelTrap.org)

Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:18 UTC (Mon) by anonymous21 (guest, #30106)
In reply to: Linux: GPLv3, DRM, and Exceptions (KernelTrap.org) by bronson
Parent article: Linux: GPLv3, DRM, and Exceptions (KernelTrap.org)

>> Give away his private keys.
Give it to the customer, not to random Joe.

>>This greatly limits... automatic teller machines, voting machines, etc.

Nope. Bank/Government gets the keys. Which is good. What is best if they can change the keys and lock the manufacturer out. Stops voting fraud.


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elections are a red herring

Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:25 UTC (Mon) by JoeBuck (subscriber, #2330) [Link]

With voting machines, the machines' owner is the local government agency that has bought the voting machines. The GPLv3 requirement would be that the company (e.g. Diebold) that manufactures the machines cannot hoard the keys. The effect is that the agency that owns the machines, not the manufacturer, is in control of upgrades. It's the same deal with ATM machines; the bank is the owner and a DRM limit just puts the bank in charge of security.

Of course, that also means that GPLv3 is of limited use in blocking Tivo-ization. Many of Tivo's competitors use the business model that the set-top box belongs to the satellite company, you just rent it. Since you aren't the owner, then presumably GPLv3 doesn't say you have to get the key; the machine never changes hands.

elections are a red herring

Posted Oct 23, 2006 13:18 UTC (Mon) by MathFox (guest, #6104) [Link]

It's the same deal with ATM machines; the bank is the owner and a DRM limit just puts the bank in charge of security.
An ATM is usually placed at a bank office; they are not handed to bank-customers. A bank storing Linux CD's in one of their vaults is certainly not distributing.
Many of Tivo's competitors use the business model that the set-top box belongs to the satellite company, you just rent it. Since you aren't the owner, then presumably GPLv3 doesn't say you have to get the key; the machine never changes hands.
I disagree here: when I lend you a Linux CD in a box I am distributing Linux to you. Why would CableCo not distribute Linux to you when they rent you a Linux flash image in a set top box?

elections are a red herring

Posted Oct 25, 2006 12:52 UTC (Wed) by sepreece (subscriber, #19270) [Link]

Go back and read the distinction between "propagating" nad "conveying" in GPLV3 draft 2.

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