TiVo is not "using" the code, .... [LWN.net]

TiVo is not "using" the code, ....

Posted Sep 27, 2006 18:26 UTC (Wed) by alexbk (subscriber, #37839)
In reply to: TiVo is not "using" the code, .... by sepreece
Parent article: Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com)

You're willing to give a hardware manufacturer the right to use, modify and distribute your code on their hardware. But you're ok if they don't give you the same right. Why do you think that is fair?

to post comments

TiVo is not "using" the code, ....

Posted Sep 27, 2006 19:34 UTC (Wed) by sepreece (guest, #19270) [Link] (2 responses)

Why wouldn't I? If I cared about modifying the device, I'd buy a device I could modify. Again, to me, it's about the code, not about the device. The fact that they use my code in a device that I can't modify is no more insulting than that they use it in other devices that I simply have no interest in owning.

If you care about modifiable devices, buy modifiable devices.

To my mind, they have complied with the essential fairness requirement by providing their code.

TiVo is not "using" the code, ....

Posted Sep 27, 2006 19:43 UTC (Wed) by sepreece (guest, #19270) [Link]

I should add that I was speaking rhetorically. I do not have any code in Linux. I do not believe my opinion would change if I did.

TiVo is not "using" the code, ....

Posted Sep 27, 2006 20:46 UTC (Wed) by alexbk (subscriber, #37839) [Link]

If I care about modifiable devices, I don't allow my code to be used in locked-down ones, aiding
their spread in the market. If they become dominant, freedom of code will have no meaning any
longer. Explain why we shouldn't worry about this scenario or why requiring the keys will not help
prevent it. Or at least why well-being of those who don't care is more important than that of those
who do.