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Hypervisors Can Defeat GPLv3's Anti-Tivoization

Posted by kdawson on from the walled-gardens dept.

DeviceGuru writes "A hypervisor can be used to isolate from each other software works released under incompatible licenses, while allowing them to run simultaneously on the same hardware. For example, Linux and Windows CE can run on separate virtual machines on one device, without violating either OS's license. Due to the isolation between multiple VMs running atop a hypervisor, it seems like this architecture could allow companies to build Linux-based devices, such as mobile phones or set-top boxes (think TiVo), that can't be upgraded by their users without authorization, thereby circumventing the GPLv3's 'anti-tivoization' clauses." Here's a white paper with more details from a commercial hypervisor company.

3 of 377 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Bogus! by Orange+Crush · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I get the same impression. If TIVO for instance wishes to use the method to satisfy both their (eventual) GPLv3 obligations *and* content-owner obligations at the same time, then I don't see it violating either the letter or the spirit of GPLv3. An end-user is free to modify the Linux client as they see fit, or to replace the hypervisor alltogether with a bare-metal Linux installation.

  2. Re:Bogus! by mmacdona86 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Note that the hypervisor doesn't prevent you from updating the GPL code (the Linux kernel, for example)--
    it just prevents you from getting extra access to the machine by updating the code. Thus it allows "tivoization" without violating the letter (or arguably the spirit) of GPL v3. The GPL code you can hack and modify to your heart's content; the hypervisor just makes sure that said hacking doesn't compromise the machine.

  3. Re:Bogus! by everphilski · · Score: 3, Interesting

    No stake whatsoever, except opposing anti-tivoization and GPLv3. I still don't believe 'freedom' can be obtained by imposing restrictions in a software license. If you want free, make it free!

    Check and mate, general-purpose personal computer!". Well, I guess you will still be able to import one from China, provided you won't get caught.

    Homebrew it. Engineers shall rule the world :) They did it 20 years ago, why not today? Plenty of people build their own (amateur) radios, many from scratch and approaching the complexity of a modern computer. It might bring about a new renaissance ... go with the flow man, RMS is no Jesus, and the FSF is no means of salvation. They have their own ambitions and agendas, just like any other organization.