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TiVo Says It Could Suffer Under GPLv3

Preedit writes to tell us that those busy folks over at InformationWeek have been scrutinizing yet more SEC filings, and Novell and Microsoft aren't the only ones concerned about certain provisions in the final draft of GPLv3. TiVo worries too. The problem is that TiVo boxes are Linux-based. They're also designed to shut down if the software is hacked by users trying to circumvent DRM features. But GPLv3 would prohibit TiVo's no-tamper setup. "If the currently proposed version of GPLv3 is widely adopted, we may be unable to incorporate future enhancements to the GNU/Linux operating system into our software, which could adversely affect our business," TiVo warns in a regulatory filing cited by InformationWeek."

5 of 710 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Potentially important legal battle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Yes, you have your head up your ass.

  2. Re:Could be good news for BSD projects by TodMinuit · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I could easily knock down your flimsy argument, but I'm not going to turn this into yet another GPL vs BSD, true mean of freedom, debate. We both know neither of us will change our mind.

    --
    I wonder if I use bold in my signature, people will notice my posts.
  3. The Real World! by Goth+Biker+Babe · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I know that everything I say will be considered heresy by the linux faithful so I expect to be modded down but I don't care.

    The problem is that RMS is a spaced out hippy with not concept of the real world and there are an awful lot of people who think the same way. The GPL is a virus that infects any software it touches. GPLv3 is worse than GPLv2.

    In my day to day work I avoid using any software that is GPLed because of commercial concerns (out side of my control) I cannot release details of software. So I have to reinvent everything and the open source community loses out on anything beneficial I may have done. A lose lose situation.

    And why cannot release details of the software? Because its encryption libraries and DRM. Well don't DRM I hear you say. The real world situation is this. Media companies want DRM. I agree that its not useful and doesn't actually benefit the media companies but until their minds are changes its here to stay. Whether that's right or wrong its a fact. There's nothing we can do about that.

    So using logic. The media companies want DRM. So any companies wanting to show their content have to comply with their requirements and use DRM. So don't show their content some may argue. But the providers are commercial companies. If Dish network didn't show Sci-Fi channel for example viewers may switch to DirecTV. So if providers are using DRM their software has to be proprietary which precludes GPLed code.

    But what do I care. I get paid to be a consultant who works out how to get around such problems such as using publishable modifications within the GPL code which IPC to proprietary code. Or, more often, looking for the BSD equivalent which allows me to publish those bits I want to publish.

    So yes, I can understand TiVo's concerns. And all that GPLv3 will achieve is forks in code (GPv3 vs GPv2 versions) or re-implementations dividing the effort and spreading the open source community thinner.

  4. Re:Amen! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Such hypocricy. You don't like DRM but you love GPL. GPLv3 will scare more companies away from Linux platforms than attract. Linux WAS gaining momentum and being used in lots of places. GPLv3 is going to kill Linux On The Desktop and push it back into Linux in the Basement. Contrary to your mindset, companies do consider some of their software competitive advantages and have no desire to enable their competitors. GPLv2 works fine there because it allows companies to use Linux and make as much change/addition as they like and keep it in-house. Disallow that and Linux will start to be abandoned by businesses and will share the fate of so many other good ideas gone wrong because of insane idealistic 'leaders'.

  5. Re:Could be good news for BSD projects by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Yes, and also mickey mouse and donald duck will show up and start dancing around nude
    with the GNU and all the other little cartoon character open source mascots..

    grow up .. this isn't some cartoon, even if that's what your uber cool
    KDE/Gnome desktop icons make it look like

    so like, they'll probably just port their code to xBSD where it will run fine,
    and the net result is less GNU use .. retard