Kernel developers' position on GPLv3

Posted Sep 24, 2006 17:45 UTC (Sun) by BrucePerens (guest, #2510)
In reply to: Kernel developers' position on GPLv3 by jejb
Parent article: Kernel developers' position on GPLv3

I think Richard is trying to use the weapons we have to solve the problems we have. I think he understands that this problem is a much more difficult one to solve with just political discourse. The other site had a lot of money power, while our power is in our software and we refuse to use it. It doesn't sound like we're going to be effective on the DRM problem this way.

Bruce

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Kernel developers' position on GPLv3

Posted Sep 24, 2006 19:44 UTC (Sun) by jejb (subscriber, #6654) [Link] (1 responses)

OK, and I'm saying I don't necessarily have a problem with the ends, just the means.

Just because you don't think you can reach the true culprit (the content providers) doesn't mean you should settle for shooting the messenger (or at least the people caught in the middle).

Firstly, this is wrong on purely moral grounds.

Secondly, the collateral damage from doing this is too great. Even if I accept that Tivo has made no useful contributions (which I don't) you'll end up shooting Digeo and a whole host of embedded device vendors too; entities who, I believe, have made (and continue to make) valuable contributions.

Finally, it antagonises a whole crowd of people who're unhappy about being forced to go along with the content providers and who might have more pressure to bring to bear in the cash and power arena than we do. I really see this as a vast strategic mistake.

I fully respect yours and Richard's right as private individuals to use the weapons you have available. However, I take issue when you expect to use my gun. I'm also not ready to throw in the towel on coming up with a strategy to bring this home to the content providers.

James

Kernel developers' position on GPLv3

Posted Sep 26, 2006 18:36 UTC (Tue) by ajaypal (guest, #40762) [Link]

Did i see a flash back, history repeating itself, when the original GPL was opposed and considered a crazy idea.

Only time will tell.