[clue-tech] The Great GPL v3 Debate Thread

[Jed S. Baer]

Well, someboey had to start this one. Figured it might as well be I.

There are a couple of things I find interesting here. I'll start with
Linus' comments, via
http://trends.newsforge.com/trends/06/01/25/238257.shtml (newsforge):

[quote]
I think it's insane to require people to make their private signing keys
available, for example.
[/quote]

Well, I just read through the highlighted changes over at
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20060117122603204 (Groklaw), and
I don't see anything there about making signing keys available. I could
easily have missed it, It could be he's referring to this:

[quote]
Complete Corresponding Source Code also includes any encryption or
authorization codes necessary to install and/or execute the source code of
the work, perhaps modified by you, in the recommended or principal context
of use, such that its functioning in all circumstances is identical to
that of the work, except as altered by your modifications. It also
includes any decryption codes necessary to access or unseal the work's
output. Notwithstanding this, a code need not be included in cases where
use of the work normally implies the user already has it.
[/quote]

This doesn't sound to me like "private signing keys" in the normal usage
of that term. No doubt, this is part of Stallman's anti-DRM thinking,
except that under the source code availability provisions, it'd be
difficult to "hide" a decryption key in a GPL'd copy protection program.
Could be I'm missing something obvious.

And, speaking of DRM, while I despise the usage of DRM as a means to
abbrogate things such as the first sale doctrine, backups, time-shifting,
and other distasteful mega-corp restrictions of fair use, etc., I can see
legitimate uses for DRM, for example, to protect medical records, which
should be kept private, but nonetheless be accessible under appropriate
circumstances. Could be that non-DRM encryption could accomplish those
things -- I don't know. I appreciate Stallman's point here, but is he
throwing out the baby with the bathwater?

jed
-- 
http://s88369986.onlinehome.us/freedomsight/
Key fingerprint = B027 FEFB 4281 CC72 67D1  4237 F2D0 D356 077A A30E
... it is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday
facilitate a police state. -- Bruce Schneier
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