[Fsf-friends] Comments on the GPLv3 Process

[Ramanraj K]

Dr. Nagarjuna G. wrote:

> It is not clear how the freedoms 0 to 3 will be curtailed by the 
> GPLv3.  If
> you have seen some modifications that do s, it will be useful to raise an
> alert.  Can you explicate  the words, or cluases that curtail the four
> freedoms? 


Freedom 0, "the freedom to run the program, for any purpose", seems to
be twisted out of shape by the draft GPLv3.

GPLv2 says: "The act of running the Program is not restricted, and the
output from the  Program is covered only if  its contents constitute a
work based on the Program  (independent of having been made by running
the Program)."

GPLv3  draft rewrites:  "This  License  permits you  to  make and  run
privately modified  versions of the  Program, or have others  make and
run them on your behalf."

The attempt to maintain distinction between "private" and "public" use
of the  program licensed is  not easy and anyway  only discriminatory.
Is it that  non-internet users can use free  software for any purpose,
but internet  users who connect to  the world wide web,  have to loose
that freedom? 

Freedom 2  can easily  be wiped out  with additional terms  that allow
trademark  conditions which  would prevent  simple  redistributions to
even  friends  and  neighbours.   The  trademark claims  made  by  ssh
trademark owner upon  openssh developers is a good  lesson not to give
room for needless and self-defeating disputes within the free software
community.

Contributions could go up in flames or be appropriated by trademark 
owners with such additional terms.

There has been little or no debate on such issues - I do hope this 
invites opinions on the future shape of the GPL.

-Ramanraj K