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

[Arne Babenhauserheide]

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. 

(you can do that in-company, though, as long as all computers belong to you)

Best wishes, 
Arne
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