It was hard enough understanding the GPLv3's anti-DRM measures and the related controversies. It appears we aren't done with controversy yet. Free Sofware Magazine pointed out further controversies to chew on over the next few years which may necessitate a GPLv4 and beyond....
( http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_software_vs_software_service ) ====================================================================== Controversy #1: Should GPLv3 close the software as a service loophole like Affero GPL does? ====================================================================== Even if Facebook, Google and everyone else all agreed to use the Affero GPL, today there is still yet another danger leading to possible lockin..... ... data portability!!! Therefore..... ====================================================================== Controversy #2: Should web service providers be obligated to return a copy of your own data at your discretion? Must a portable data format be used? ====================================================================== The web app source may be free but web companies are under no obligation to give you your data back nor provide it in a portable format. Imagine if 90% of the population used Facebook 10 years from now. If they refused to give you your data whenever you wished, they would have achieved a coveted "vendor lock-in"!. No competition possible! This is analagous to the situation today with Microsoft Word being the de facto standard. Chris -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
