What I wish the kernel developers had actually come out and said

Posted Sep 23, 2006 8:22 UTC (Sat) by bbrv (guest, #24018)
In reply to: What I wish the kernel developers had actually come out and said by charris
Parent article: Kernel developers' position on GPLv3

Nicely done by you too Chuck!

For us, making DRM part of v3 was too far to reach. A better view/solution can be accomplished
by separating _security_ to be defined in technical terms from _privacy_ to be understood as a
personal choice (see obtaining a new mobile phone vs. a new computer). Privacy is another sort
of "freedom" issue that emanates from the user. The decision gate comes before our choice of
use.

As Chuck correctly observes: "in order for a group of people to cooperate for the general
good there need to be restrictions, something that prevents some version of the tragedy of the
commons." Therein is the bigger and *different* discussion.

Placing these distinctions, which DRM and "security" features become, into the devices we use
make choice an option and the leave the foundational concepts of freedom which define GPL in
tact as they apply to the overall movement. Bringing DRM into GPL was the application of _too
much of a good thing_. It is time to ask FSF to please go back to the drawing board.

Our compliments to the "kernel developers." Good work! Freedom is not free - thanks for the
effort.

R&B :)