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Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Free software and open source
From: |
Richard Stallman |
Subject: |
Re: [GNU-linux-libre] Free software and open source |
Date: |
Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:19:48 -0400 |
> For instance, many Android phones contain tivoized versions of Linux.
> Those executables are open source
Are they, really? Few years ago, I got in touch with the OSI board
asking them whether they believed Tivoized software fit their
definition.
If you look at their definition, none of the criteria addresses the
issue. Recall that they have a long list of rather specific criteria.
I don't see how any of them provides a basis to reject a tivoized
executable. Most of them are about the source code only.
If they don't agree amongst themselves, it could be that they feel
there's something wrong with tivoized software but they don't see how
to reject it based on their definition.
It might be nice to try to get an official decision from them, so that
they either join our fight against Tivoization, or provide us with an
irrefutable argument about differences between our position and theirs
that would be understandable even by those who refuse to take ethical
and moral considerations into account.
It would be useful. If they think that tivoization must be rejected,
they could amend their definition, and that would be good.
Would you like to talk with them about this?
--
Dr Richard Stallman
President, Free Software Foundation
51 Franklin St
Boston MA 02110
USA
www.fsf.org www.gnu.org
Skype: No way! That's nonfree (freedom-denying) software.
Use free telephony http://directory.fsf.org/category/tel/