[U-Boot] U-book and GPLv3? (fwd)

Mike Frysinger
2009-06-25T14:11:53Z

On Friday 19 June 2009 04:40:59 Detlev Zundel wrote:
> > I was asked about relicensing U-Boot as GPLv3:
> >
> > From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
> > Subject: U-book and GPLv3?
> > To: Wolfgang Denk <wd@denx.de>
> > Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:17:28 -0400
> >
> >
> > I really enjoy the name U-boot.
> > What are the advantages of U-boot over PMON?
> >
> > Have you considered moving U-boot to "GPLv3-or-later"?
> >
> >
> > ----------
> >
> >
> >
> > I know that we have had similar discussions before (see for example
> > http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.boot-loaders.u-boot/24029), but I
> > would like to take the chance and re-poll what the community's
> > opinion about this is.
>
> For what it's worth, I would appreciate moving to GPLv3. Sparing
> details, my reasoning is the following. Basically I think most people
> appreciate the GPL for what it means in pratical terms:
>
> * the freedom to use the software for any purpose,
> * the freedom to change the software to suit your needs,
> * the freedom to share the software with your friends and neighbors,
> * and
> * the freedom to share the changes you make.
>
> Obviously the second item here will become void if vendor lockout of
> updates becomes common. So what will be left of the essential freedoms?
> I can study the code, I can modify it, but I am not allowed to run it.
> Excellent.

and this is why i dislike the GPLv3. the GPLv2 was all about the source, so
the conversation between developers and everyone else was "you can take my
source and modify it all you want, but i want to see the changes". sounds
fair.

GPLv3 (ignoring the fix for the loophole with web applications) adds *nothing*
to this premise. instead, it's used as an ideological club such that the
conversation is now "i have all these ideas about how software should and
shouldnt be utilized, so if you want to use my software, you too now have to
subscribe to my way of thinking and you have to show me the changes".

so what does moving from GPLv2 to GPLv3 gain us in terms of protections ?
nothing. it does however allow us to restrict the people who want to use u-
boot to using it in only ways we've "blessed". that's plain wrong in my eyes
and none of our business in the first place.

> I think it is not a coincidence that devices which can be updated with
> arbitrary firmware sells pretty good in the meantime. Who buys routers
> capable of running OpenWRT because of their original firmware?

then let your wallet/politicians do the talking. i certainly do -- i avoid
purchasing any music/games encumbered with DRM, or companies that employ such
methods. but i'm above going around and forcing people to think the way i do
with licenses.
-mike
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