Re: FSF has published GNU FDL version 1.2
On Wed, Nov 27, 2002 at 12:27:16PM -0800, Walter Landry wrote:
> What can't be avoided is the clause in Section 2
>
> You may not use technical measures to obstruct or control the
> reading or further copying of the copies you make or distribute.
>
> I could easily imagine a situation where an organization wants to make
> it difficult to print things out, so that people don't waste paper.
> Libraries, in particular, may want to discourage people from printing
> out the GNU Emacs manual. The GFDL doesn't allow this, which counts
> as a use restriction. The license is non-free.
I do not see how this is a use restriction. It explicitly mentions "the
copies you make or distribute". If you *receive* a copy and do not copy
it further, this clause does not limit you in any way.
To me, it's clearly a restriction on distribution: you must allow the
receiver of a copy to read and copy it as they wish.
Also, if libraries want to discourage people from printing out the GNU
Emacs manual, they can and probably will simply put up a sign saying
"please don't print out large documents unnecessarily, as it wastes
paper". That's not a technical measure.
--
Colin Watson [cjwatson@flatline.org.uk]
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