GPL3 vs. GPL2, and Tivo

Ok everyone. Over at the Linux Kernel mailing list, there has been *A LOT* of discussion (and pissing and moaning) about the GPLv3. The part which is getting everyone’s panties in a knot is section 6 (of the 4th draft, 3rd in the first draft). This section says that, and I am paraphrasing here, if you sell an end-user product, then you must include, or make available, all of the information necessary to install and execute modified software on the device. This is supposed to include any methods, procedures, and authorization keys, to do this. The only real caveat is for items stored in ROM, which can not be upgraded, at least in any reasonable way.

Are you FREAKING INSANE! Continue reading

Advertisement