On Thu, Jun 14, 2007 at 02:52:48AM +0100, Alan Cox wrote:
>
> As a PS to the GPL3 comment here is the basic difference
>
> ROM - I can't modify the code on the device
> The creator can't modify the code further on the device
>
> Tivo - I can't modify the code on the device
> The owner can modify the code
>
> One is an implicit limitation of the hardware (just like I can't run
> openoffice on a 4MB PC even though the license gives me the right to
> try), the other is an artificial restriction.
>
> One case is witholding freedom in the GPL sense by one party while
> keeping it themselves, the other is a limitation of the system
> inevitably imposed on everyone.
I've been following this discussion and I find this interesting.
Consider these two cases:
1.) I ship the device back to the manufacturer, they replace the ROM,
and ship it back to me.
2.) I ship the device back to the manufacturer, they load new code
into it, and ship it back to me.
How do these two differ? Or is it now just a question of the ROM
being in a socket? I can't see how the technicalities of how the
hardware is constructed can change the legality of the software.
--
Dan
-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/
