D-Link and Boxee Violate GPL

[Sabre]

Infinity/zero article

The Task
Modify the open-source software on your Boxee Box.
The Trick
Boxee has included cryptographic controls to block you from using your software on the Boxee Box. Both D-Link and Boxee refuse to release the key files required to pass these checks.
The Twist
The GPLv2 did not specifically prohibit blocking installation. The newer version, the GPLv3, prohibits this explicitly.
The Truth
Your Boxee Box was shipped containing GPLv3 software. You should be able to install modified versions of software to your Boxee Box.

Sad to see this. This is the kind of thing that will set (another) pressidence in court for OS software and the GPL license.

[complacent]

Infinity/zero article

The Task
Modify the open-source software on your Boxee Box.
The Trick
Boxee has included cryptographic controls to block you from using your software on the Boxee Box. Both D-Link and Boxee refuse to release the key files required to pass these checks.
The Twist
The GPLv2 did not specifically prohibit blocking installation. The newer version, the GPLv3, prohibits this explicitly.
The Truth
Your Boxee Box was shipped containing GPLv3 software. You should be able to install modified versions of software to your Boxee Box.

Sad to see this. This is the kind of thing that will set (another) pressidence in court for OS software and the GPL license.

on the flip side of the argument, there are a some provisions in v3 that really make it difficult for companies to use in their commercial products. gcc for example, is no longer included with apple's xcode developer wares.

i think we're starting to see where gpl is drawing a line in the sand where you can't customize and install gpl-licensed product for profit. they really, really want to keep it completely free.

in an increasingly intellectual property-dependent future, it's tough to use or mod gpl'd stuff as a product. selling services for something based on gpl'd product? sure thing.

i'm honestly not sure how i feel about it. ideology and all.

[avriette]

on the flip side of the argument, there are a some provisions in v3 that really make it difficult for companies to use in their commercial products. gcc for example, is no longer included with apple's xcode developer wares.

Yeah it is. It's just hidden.

wing:~ alex$ which gcc
/Developer/usr/bin/gcc

'member, you gotta update your compile flags too.

[complacent]

for xcode 4? i thought they stopped bundling anything newer than 4.2 because of the transition to gplv3 (and the fact that they're charging $5 for it).

4.2.1 is still available elsewhere, just not in the current version of xcode 4... so far as i understood it.

i should have said "no longer updating gcc" instead of "no longer including." my bad.