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Subject: |
Re: GPLv3 comedy unfolding -- FSF: "iPhone restricts users, GPLv3 frees them" |
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Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:51:47 -0400 |
"Alexander Terekhov" <address@hidden> wrote in message
news:address@hidden
> ROTFL
>
> http://www.fsf.org/iphone-gplv3
>
> -------
> iPhone restricts users, GPLv3 frees them
>
> BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA-Thursday, June 28, 2007-On Friday, June 29,
> not everyone in the continental U.S. will be waiting in line to purchase
> a $500 iPhone. In fact, hundreds of thousands of digital aficionados
> around the globe won't be standing in line at all, for June 29 marks the
> release of version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Version 2
> of the GPL governs the world's largest body of free software-software
> that is radically reshaping the industry and threatening the proprietary
> technology model represented by the iPhone.
>
> The author of the the GPL is Professor Richard M. Stallman, president
> and founder of the Free Software Foundation, and creator of the GNU
> Project. With his first revision of the license in sixteen years,
> version 3 of the GPL fights the most recent attempts to take the freedom
> out of free software-most notably, version 3 attacks "Tivoization"-and
> that could be a problem for Apple and the iPhone.
>
> Now, from China to India, from Venezuela to Brazil, from Tivos to cell
> phones: Free software is everywhere and it is slowly building a
> worldwide movement of users demanding that they have control over the
> computers and electronic devices they own.
>
> Tivoization and the iPhone?
>
> "Tivoization" is a term coined by the FSF to describe devices that are
> built with free software, but that use technical measures to prevent the
> user from making modifications to the software-a fundamental freedom for
> free software users-and an attack on free software that the GPLv3 will
> put a stop to.
>
> The iPhone is leaving people questioning: Does it contain GPLed
> software? What impact will the GPLv3 have on the long-term prospects for
> devices like the iPhone that are built to keep their owners frustrated?
>
> Peter Brown, executive director of the FSF said, "Tomorrow, Steve Jobs
> and Apple release a product crippled with proprietary software and
> digital restrictions: crippled, because a device that isn't under the
> control of its owner works against the interests of its owner. We know
> that Apple has built its operating system, OS X, and its web browser
> Safari, using GPL-covered work-it will be interesting to see to what
> extent the iPhone uses GPLed software."
>
> The GNU GPL version 3 will be released at 12:00pm (EDT)-six hours before
> the release of the iPhone-bringing to a close eighteen months of public
> outreach and comment, in revision of the world's most popular free
> software license.
>
> About the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL)The GNU GPL is the most
> widely used free software license worldwide: almost three quarters of
> all free software packages are distributed under this license. It is
> not, however, the only free software license.
> Richard Stallman wrote the version 1 and 2 of the GNU GPL with legal
> advice from Perkins, Smith & Cohen. Version 1 was released in 1989, and
> version 2 in 1991. Since 1991, free software use has increased
> tremendously, and computing practices have changed, introducing new
> opportunities and new threats. In 2005, Stallman began revising the GPL
> for version 3. In January 2006, the FSF began a systematic process of
> public review and feedback, with legal advice and organizational support
> from the Software Freedom Law Center.
>
> About the GNU Operating System and LinuxRichard Stallman announced in
> September 1983 the plan to develop a free software Unix-like operating
> system called GNU. GNU is the only operating system developed
> specifically for the sake of users' freedom. See
> http://www.gnu.org/gnu/the-gnu-project.html.
>
> In 1992, the essential components of GNU were complete, except for one,
> the kernel. When in 1992 the kernel Linux was re-released under the GNU
> GPL, making it free software, the combination of GNU and Linux formed a
> complete free operating system, which made it possible for the first
> time to run a PC without non-free software. This combination is the
> GNU/Linux system. For more explanation, see
> http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html
>
> The GNU GPL is used by developers with various views, but it was written
> to serve the ethical goals of the free software movement. Says Stallman,
> "The GNU GPL makes sense in terms of its purpose: freedom and social
> solidarity. Trying to understand it in terms of the goals and values of
> open source is like trying understand a CD drive's retractable drawer as
> a cupholder. You can use it for that, but that is not what it was
> designed for."
>
> About The Free Software FoundationThe Free Software Foundation, founded
> in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study,
> copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the
> development and use of free (as in freedom) software-particularly the
> GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants-and free documentation
> for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical
> and political issues of freedom in the use of software. Its Web site,
> located at www.fsf.org, is an important source of information about
> GNU/Linux. Donations to support the FSF's work can be made at
> http://donate.fsf.org. Its headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.
>
> Media ContactsJoshua Gay
> Campaigns Manager
> Free Software Foundation
> 617-542-5942
> address@hidden
> -------
"Professor" Stallman?
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