article on GPLv3, Linux kernel, and Devices Rigged to Malfunction

[Ciaran O'Riordan]

Alex Hudson <home at alexhudson.com> writes:
> The kernel is currently GPL'd, yet it doesn't encourage people to write
> free software drivers.

Yes, it seems that a development team who view freedom as the goal (as
OpenBSD's do) is more important than what's in the licence.

Trying to get developers and users of free software to value freedom is an
ongoing task that's happening in parallel to updating our licence.

It will be possible to resrict users with DRM in spite of GPLv3's
provisions, but whether this will happen on a mass scale or not is yet to be
seen.  Right now there is a certain model (the Tivo model) already in use
for undermining the GPL, so GPLv3 will cut off that specific model.

(As a side note, it's worth also noting that the Tivo model is on shaky
legal ground as it violates the spirit of the licence and the author's
intent.)


-- 
Ciarán O'Riordan __________________ \ http://fsfeurope.org/projects/gplv3
http://ciaran.compsoc.com/ _________ \  GPLv3 and other work supported by
http://fsfe.org/fellows/ciaran/weblog \   Fellowship: http://www.fsfe.org