Re: [Fsfe-uk] Explanation of Tivosiation and problems - comments sought

[Jason Clifford]

On Mon, 18 Dec 2006, Alex Hudson wrote:

> I would also disagree that maintaining a set of encryption keys for each
> customer, plus the infrastructure to make available binary updates
> tailored to each user (i.e., signed with their key), is a "trivial"
> burden. Compared to hosting a set of binaries on an FTP site, it's
> obviously more difficult by quite some way.

Indeed. Let's not forget however that this discussion didn't start as a 
consideration of how to make it easier for those who want to lock out 
users with encryption but rather how to prevent this abuse (in spirit if 
not letter) of GPL.

By setting such a requirement in the terms of the license no freedom is 
being removed from business but rather one is being protected for 
recipients of such computer systems.

The fact is that commercial exploiters of GPL'd code are already seeking 
to circumvent the protection of freedoms and that requires a response if 
GPL is to be worth anything. No manufacturer or OEM has to use GPL 
protected software in their systems - they remain free to develop their 
own clean implementations of whatever system while those who respect the 
freedom of their customers will steal a march with pre-existing software 
and free development :)

Jason
-- 
UKFSN.ORG                       Finance Free Software while you surf the 'net
http://www.ukfsn.org/             up to 8Mb ADSL Broadband from just £14.98
http://www.linuxadsl.co.uk/             ADSL routers from just £21.98