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Messages in this thread Complete thread (EXPERIMENTAL) |
On Mon, 2006-09-25 at 12:31 +0100, Alan Cox wrote:
This seems silly to me. Sure, lasers and medical equipment is
dangerous if used wrong. When such equipment isThe GPLv3 rewords it in an attempt to be clearer but also I think rather
more over-reaching. It's not clear what for example happens with a
rented device containing GPL software but with DRM on the hardware.
Thats quite different to owned hardware. GPLv2 leaves it open for the
courts to make a sensible decision per case, GPLv3 tries to define it in
advance and its very very hard to define correctly.
Also the prevention of running modified versions is not only caused by economic interests and business models. There are also scenarios where it is simply necessary: - The liability for damages, where the manufacturer of a device might be responsible in case of damage when he abandoned the prevention. This applies to medical devices as well as to lasers, machine tools and many more. Device manufacturers can not necessarily escape such liabilities as it might be considered grossly negligent to hand out the prevention key, even if the user signed an exemption from liability. controlled by software, then changing that software brings huge responsibility. But it shouldn't be made impossible. They can provide the key, with the warning that _using_ it means you are on your own and take all responsibility. I can take the covers off a cd player and let the laser shine into the room. Nothing prevents me from doing that, it isn't welded shut or anything. And it might be useful if I ever need a laser beam. Of course I am then responsible if I take someone's eye out. CD players have warning labels about this. And the same can be done for the keys to dangerous software. - Regulations to prevent unauthorized access to radio frequencies, which
is what concerns e.g. cellphone manufacturers.
Unauthorized use is illegal and easy enough to track down.
No special protection is needed. And it cannot be enforced
by making the phones har to modify - any radio amateur knows
how to build from scratch a transmitter to jam the GSM bands
if he should be inclined to do so. Anyone can look this up in
books too.Helge Hafting | ||||||||||
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