Re: FSF has published GNU FDL version 1.2

[bts@alum.mit.edu (Brian T. Sniffen)]

Walter Landry <wlandry@ucsd.edu> writes:
> Let's say that the library has two things you can get, the texinfo
> source files and a pdf generated from them.  People are unlikely to
> print out the texinfo files, so they would naturally try to print out
> the pdf.  So the library sets the "do not print" flag on the pdf,
> making it unlikely that anyone will print out the Emacs manual.
>
> The library is not distributing copies of the manual, but they are
> using "technical measures to obstruct or control the reading or
> further copying of the copies" that they made.  This is a completely
> reasonable _use_ that is not allowed by the GFDL.

Your broad definition of "technical measures to obstruct or control
the reading or further copying of the copies" would prevent me from
keeping a GFDL-licensed work locked in my house: the doors and locks
obstruct reading by random passerby.

Clearly, this section is meant to refer to measures which obstruct or
control reading or further copying by the owners of the existing
copies.  Since the library isn't distributing copies, only allowing
browsing, there's no problem.

If they do distribute PDF copies, of course, it has to be the unlocked PDF
which is distributed, together with the texinfo source.

-Brian

-- 
Brian Sniffen                                       bts@alum.mit.edu
		    http://www.evenmere.org/~bts/
	      Available for security-related employment.