Re: GPLv3 comedy unfolding -- Linus: "Ceterum censeo, GPLv3 esse delendam"

[Alexander Terekhov]

David Kastrup wrote:
[...]
> The GPL (in any version) does not dictate that manufacturers have to
> equip the system with rewritable memory.  But if they do, its access

In comments to

http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20060922134536257

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Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, September 25 2006 @ 03:52 PM EDT

> If GPLv2 had the right balance, Tivo couldn't happen. But it did, 
> and it needs fixing. You feel the only freedom that matters is that 
> you get code back. That is because you are a programmer. I am an 
> end user, and Tivo is restricting *my* freedom

The whole Tivio argument is totally bogus, and nothing in the proposed 
wording of the GPL v3 will make any difference for you as a user. It 
will only reqire small changes to the hardware achieve the same and 
still comply with the GPL v3.

As a designer you will loose some flexibility and it will require more 
testing and a slightly longer time-to-market. But nothing really 
dramatic, lots of embedded devices does it this way already.

Having the kernel in something like a soldered in one time programable 
ROM, like old style BIOSes used to be. Making the possibly to upgrade 
very limited and clearly voiding the varanty for those who do. The 
kernel(in Tivio case the GPL bit) is only a small part of the device 
and, the least interesting one to me as a user. And not the part 
needing updates or bugfix regularly, or at all. At least it should be 
if, the company employ anything close to competent designers.
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regards,
alexander.