VLC Developer Takes a Stand Against DRM Enforcement

jamie writes "The GPL gives Apple permission to distribute this software through the App Store. All they would have to do is follow the license's conditions to help keep the software free. Instead, Apple has decided that they prefer to impose Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) and proprietary legal terms on all programs in the App Store, and they'd rather kick out GPLed software than change their own rules."

Comments

I'm so tired of your free software totalitarianism

[gig]

Free software has a set of rules and it works. App Store has a different set of rules and it works. Participate in either as you see fit. Don't try and change one into the other. I am tired of this kind of totalitarianism coming from free software people, demanding other people embrace their ideology. Apple didn't trick you into submitting an app. In the same way that you should agree to comply with the GPL license if you want to use some GPL code, you should comply with App Store licensing if you want to use App Store. Or don't participate if you can't play by the rules. Don't show up to a baseball game in your hockey gear and demand to play.

Apple participates in free and open source software in many cases and they give a lot and they get a lot. They have also created a commercial market for "pop apps" where that make sense, and enabled many, many people who have never before installed and used native software to do so. We don't have to wonder if its success is based on the way it is structured, because we have Android Market to look at, where piracy has destroyed the ability of software developers to fund their projects.

In short: STFU.

Re:Apple is indeed shooting itself in the foot.

[SteeldrivingJon]

"And Apple misrepresented that submission as being compliant with Apple's distribution scheme"

Uh, no. They took the submitter's word for it. Get a clue.