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Re: RE-PROPOSED: The Dictator Test



On Sat, Jul 17, 2004 at 08:14:32PM -0400, Nathanael Nerode wrote:
> >>This is really about freedoms.  You don't want to *lose* freedoms (the 
> >>right
> >>to criticize the author, sue third parties, etc.) by getting a free
> >>software license.
> >
> >
> >I vehemently disagree.
> 
> That's interesting.  I propose the following license then.  Is it free 
> in your opinion?  It doesn't technically violate any DFSG clauses, but I 
> think it's self-evidently non-free, because it takes away fundamental 
> freedoms.
> 
> Anyone ("you") may use, copy, modify, and distribute copies (modified or 
> unmodified) of this software, provided that:
> (1) You must never say or write anything negative about the authors.
> (2) You agree never to exercise your fair use, fair dealing, or other 
> similar rights regarding this software.
> (3) You agree not to use this program at all, in any way, without 
> agreeing to this license.
> (3) You agree never to sue anyone over anything.
> (4) You agree to allow the authors to search your home and person 
> without notice at any time.
> (5) You agree to waive your right to trial by jury in all criminal or 
> civil cases brought against you.

I believe this violates DFSG#1 and DFSG#3, at least, by placing unreasonable,
clearly non-free restrictions on modification and distribution.

This doesn't contradict your point at all, of course, which I agree with.
Debian is not about "Free software, even at the cost of any and all other
freedoms".

-- 
Glenn Maynard



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