Re: [OFF TOPIC] BK license change

Larry McVoy
2002-04-22T21:35:30Z

On Sun, Apr 21, 2002 at 09:57:15AM -0700, Larry McVoy wrote:
> I'm considering a change to the BKL which says that N days after a
> changeset is made, that changeset (and its ancestory) must be available
> on a public bk server. In other words, put a hard limit on how long
> you may hide.

OK, people have been replying in private to this raising various objections
and making good points:

David Mosberger was worried that I was suggesting that not
providing access to changes to GPLed code immediately (or ever,
if you don't redistribute) is a GPL violation. To clarify: people
can make changes to GPLed software and are only required to make
those changes available if they redistribute. That's the rule.
The point I was trying to make is that I wanted BK to be used for
free on work which is done out in the open, not behind closed doors.

Greg KH raised the point that not everyone can have a public
BK server, their IT department may not allow that. He said that
bkbits.net may need beefing up if we force people out into the open
(it needs beefing up anyway, but point is well taken).

Itai Nahshon raised several points about encrypted software, illegal
under the DMCA software, etc.

Jonathan Corbet raised the point of exposing software that isn't
done yet, which may have security holes, and/or other problems.

There were others, but this gives you a feel. In general, I'm getting
the message that forcing everything out into the open isn't always going
to be a good thing.

Yet I still have the problem of people abusing the system (not to mention
the "spirit" of free software). What I'd like is a way to qualify that
"abuse" and put that in the license, and what I'm hearing is that any
blanket statement may be a net negative for someone who should not be
adversely affected.

So that leaves a more selective approach. We can add a clause that says
we reserve the right to insist you either

a) maintain your changes in public within 90 days of making them, or
b) buy closed use seats, or
c) cease to use the product.

and then apply it to the abusers of the system. I understand this is
still a scary thing in that there is no guarentee that we won't knock
on your door, but the reality is that people always find ways to
avoid the intent of licenses and we need some recourse. At least this
way doesn't force this upon everyone, you have to exhibit some bad
behaviour in order for us to notice.

If you have a better idea on how to shut down the abusers without scaring
the legit users, I'm all ears.
--
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Larry McVoy lm at bitmover.com http://www.bitmover.com/lm