[opensource-dev] DRM vs TOS Was: Third party viewer policy

Dzonatas Sol dzonatas at gmail.com
Wed Feb 24 11:46:48 PST 2010


Lawson English wrote:
> Dzonatas Sol wrote:
>> Lawson English wrote:
>>  
>>> For a real life use case, the realxtend developers are currently 
>>> debating whether or not it is worth their while to continue to add 
>>> more support to SL rather than just go with OpenSim-only.
>>>
>>>       
>>
>>
>> If any viewer is under GPL terms, rather it is derived or not, it 
>> probably won't comply with the TOS if the TOS mandates DRM.
>>
>> Software that runs on hardware that enforces DRM is not different 
>> than software that connects to a service that enforces DRM.
>>
>> Obviously, basic login credentials aren't being seen as DRM, yet MAC 
>> address, channels, and other means to enforce control of the client 
>> software, especially through TOS policy, is DRM.
>>
>> All those discussion's we've had on this list about "signed-off" 
>> scripts and programs, even encrypted, have had their rug pulled. Even 
>> Microsoft's one-click programs are affected.
>>
>> I wouldn't say LL backpedaled on the GPL, yet I will say the DRM 
>> movement is highly questionable. I can understand why realxtend would 
>> want to not continue support for SL with such cloud of questions. 
>> This would have been prevented if...  you know, there is a big 
>> elephant in the room.
>>
>>   
>
> the Naali viewer is from-scratch under a freebsd license. No GPL code 
> at all.
>
>
> Lawson
>
>


I can hit that Infinite Button of 'what see what this does' too??? They 
make great bitch points.


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