Re: Niches for the Hurd: evaluation method; was: DRM musings, capabilities and stuff

[Michal Suchanek]

2008/12/8 Arne Babenhauserheide <arne_bab@web.de>:
> Am Freitag 05 Dezember 2008 12:31:52 schrieb Michal Suchanek:
>> 2008/12/3 Arne Babenhauserheide <arne_bab@web.de>:
>> > Am Sonntag 30 November 2008 21:08:43 schrieb Michal Suchanek:
>> >> The default distribution can then be modified to create a distribution
>> >> where even the 'root' shell has some restrictions - that's unavoidable
>> >> on any system that allows restricting programs.
>> >
>> > If the system is GPLv3, the root shell can't be made unfixable (a
>> > restricted root shell is broken), since the user *must* have a way to
>> > change the system, else the distributor violates the GPL.
>>
>> Look at TiVO - they do not forbid modifying the software but forbid
>> running the modified software.
>
> Which was one of the strong reasons for the GPLv3 - the GPLv3 protects against
> Tivoisation. If they'd try their trick with GPLv3 software, they'd violate the
> license.
>
>> However, the DRM verification is something different - they allow you
>> to run whatever you want on your computer (so far) but they want to
>> allow accessing protected content only when your system verifies as
>> known DRM enforcing one (although the verification is technically
>> unfeasible so far).
>>
>> I am not sure if GPLv3 or anything else protects you from that.
>
> As soon as I can't run sofware I modified *but someone else can*  (for example
> by provding a new validation), it violates the GPLv3. It breaks the symmetry
> between all developers.
>
> Naturally I am allowed to setup a system where only someone else can modify
> the software, but I am not allowed to *distribute* that system, and so public
> services can't be restricted to verified systems, since you woulldn't be
> allowed to distribute a verified system.

This is somewhat different than TiVO.

The system can be distributed as non-verified, and run all free
applications just fine.

However, a non-free application may require certain known version of
the otherwise free system (and driver for hardware cryptographic
device) to run or allow access to protected content.

Thanks

Michal