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12 comments
aeva

@mrcopilot ok so here's a contrived example: let's say someone makes a game that has an unmodified GPL dependency, and they distribute the game with the game's source code, but because they don't understand how licenses work they put their own source code under CC-BY-NC-ND which forbids modification, commercial use, and doesn't grant any useful rights specific to software. That's several GPL violations despite their source code being available to the public.

MrCopilot

@aeva Yes, locking out your modifications through legal or technical means are both considered violations. I was just struggling for a real world practical example.

aeva

@mrcopilot so in theory the copyright holder for whatever GPL library that game used could sue in hopes of getting the code released under a compatible license or to get the game pulled from distribution or collect damages or whatever else it is that people who file lawsuits hope to achieve

MrCopilot

@aeva I worked on a commercial device that shipped with some PC software & the embedded device sources were just packaged on that CD.

There was definitely no feasible way for the customer/end user or even manufacturer to update that code without removing a bunch of silicone and soldering on a serial interface, but you know, "letter of the law". Back then I was just happy to be putting another penguin off the end of a production line.

Now, I am conflicted with a few decisions made above me.

MrCopilot

@aeva some expensive rich kid toys, and some consumer printers.

That project was a luxury spa.

MrCopilot

@aeva A pre yocto arm embedded linux project on a brand new chip, it was a ton of education, fun, anxiety and finally triumph. The screen interface was a nightmare but the day that the first properly aligned tux boot screen appeared was indescribably joyous and as memorable as all 3 of my children's births.

MrCopilot replied to aeva

@aeva Well the first one was long since former and I couldn't really be bothered to ask.

mrscopilot enjoys my excitement over all things tech and was there every night during the research development and bring up phases, so I suspect she was as relieved as I was proud & excited for the stress to break.

The youngest gets me and grew up exclusively using Tux machines. She's a grown up mostly windows user now, but I still love her dearly, a little less, but very dearly.

Typed via Windows 11 box

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