linux-kernel - Re: GPLv3 Position Statement

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Date:	Sat, 23 Sep 2006 13:38:09 +0200
From:	Florian Weimer <fw@...eb.enyo.de>
To:	James Bottomley <James.Bottomley@...elEye.com>
Cc:	linux-kernel <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>
Subject: Re: GPLv3 Position Statement

* James Bottomley:

>     Further, the FSF's attempts at drafting and re-drafting these
> provisions have shown them to be a nasty minefield which keeps ensnaring
> innocent and beneficial uses of encryption and DRM technologies so, on such
> demonstrated pragmatic ground, these clauses are likewise dangerous and
> difficult to get right and should have no place in a well drafted update to
> GPLv2.

There is a very simple litmus test for DRM code: code that cannot be
altered or removed, according to applicable law or other agreements.
The GPLv3 could forbid the addition of such code to a covered code
base, I suppose.  However, this runs contrary to the DRM-like optional
clauses in the GPLv3 (mandatory access through sources over a
communication channel, certain forms of copyright notices).

I think several of these optional clauses are bad.  Even the copyright
notices can be annoying (although it's already in GPLv2).  For
instance, if I run

  emacs somefile.c

from the command line, somefile.c doesn't show up on in the editor,
but the copyright notice.  Of course, you can put 

  (defun display-splash-screen () (interactive))

in a startup file, but if you do this as a distributor, it might be a
GPLv2 violation.
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