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Stallman Says Pirate Party Hurts Free Software
bonch writes "Richard Stallman has written an article on the GNU Web site describing the effect the Swedish Pirate Party's platform would have on the free software movement. While he supports general changes to copyright law, he makes a point that many anti-copyright proponents don't realize — the GPL itself is a copyright license that relies on copyright law to protect access to source code. According to Stallman, the Pirate Party's proposal of a five-year limit on copyright would remove the freedom users have to gain access to source code by eventually allowing its inclusion in proprietary products. Stallman suggests requiring proprietary software to also release its code within five years to even the balance of power."
Stallman == Irrelevant Wacko
... who insists that open source software is inevitably better, and will inevitably beat the closed source competition? If so, why is he trying to mandate protection for it in the law? Sure, mandate that states can't ignore open source just because it doesn't include junkets and dinners with executives, but forcing people to open their own software just to "level the playing field"?
That sounds like an idea from someone who's afraid that maybe his side won't measure up. "Yes, we're better! All of our software is inherently better, and anyone who tries it will clearly see that! Now, let's force the other side to ruin their business plan and do things our way, because otherwise they have an unfair advantage!"