[opensource-dev] Third party viewer policy: commencement date

[Carlo Wood]

Um yes... I cannot agree with this TPV (I explicitely don't).
What we need is it to be either changed, or have a real
lawyer look at it and explain the ramifications.

What it says now is pretty clear to me: if I contribute
to some GPL-ed third party viewer and later someone else
uses it to connect to SL, while in the meantime LL has
changed the TPV policy such that the viewer is now in
violation with it, then the FBI will be knocking on
my door to cash-in $1000,000 of damages.

At least that would be possible with the current wording.
Ban me if you have to, but I don't agree with it. If ever
I had to click "yes I agree" in order to connect, then
sure as hell I won't. I will change the viewer code and
remove that agreement (as is allowed per the GPL), then I
will recompile and reconnect WITHOUT agreeing. Breaking
the TPV policy, but at least I won't have agreed with it.

On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 12:53:35PM +0100, Lance Corrimal wrote:
> Am Montag, 22. März 2010 12:44:57 schrieb Carlo Wood:
> > I'd like to see this question answered, too.
> > 
> > On Sun, Mar 21, 2010 at 06:08:58PM +0200, Ryan McDougall wrote:
> > > The policy deeply confuses users and developers together, making it
> > > appear to me that "users" can place "developers" in violation of your
> > > policy against their will.
> > > 
> > > Let me explain:
> > > 
> > > Let's say I develop a client expressly designed to log into OpenSim
> > > for example. Because of protocol compatibility, this client is
> > > incidentally capable of logging into SL. If a user decides to to just
> > > that, he is *clearly* a "User of Third Party Viewer". However, has he
> > > just made me a "Developer of Third Party Viewer"? I see no language
> > > that protects me from your policy.
> > > 
> > > I've no interest in using LL's servers or enabling LL's business
> > > model. I don't want to agree to the TVP. Has OpenSim's historical
> > > choice of protocol placed it under LL's legal domain? If not, what
> > > section of your policy protects me?
> > > 
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Ryan
> 
> Let's face it.
> Q has basically put a final answer to all our questions.
> 
> how did he put it... "Similarly, any comment by one of Linden's lawyers in 
> this forum or any other could possibly be treated as legally binding. That 
> also goes for Linden employees, especially those with any seniority. So you're 
> unlikely to get further remarks or "clarifications", except general statements 
> that don't address specific questions. The policy was revised based on 
> comments on this list and elsewhere. That's probably a pretty good indication 
> that Linden Lab's lawyers now think it's clear enough to state its intent and 
> to stand up in court if they need it to."
> 
> 
> therefor I notified the FSF of this stuff.
> Let's see what they think.
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-- 
Carlo Wood <carlo at alinoe.com>