Re: GR proposal - Restricted-media amendments to the DFSG

[Anthony DeRobertis <anthony@derobert.net>]

Josselin Mouette wrote:
> Following the result to GR 2006-001, the following modifications will be
> made to the Debian Free Software Guidelines:
>   
Let's not make a bad situation worse. These two modifications would, I 
think, open a large enough hole in the DFSG to drive a MS EULA through.

> At the end of DFSG #2, the following text should be added:
>         "The license may restrict distribution to some kinds of media if
>         it is still possible to distribute the source code and compiled
>         code together on at least one machine-readable medium."
>   
Several other people have already pointed out how bad this is. "Sure, 
you can distribute it — on punch cards."
> At the end of DFSG #6, the following text should be added:
>         "As a special exception, the license may forbid use of
>         technical measures to restrict access or use of the software
>         itself."
>   
This clause is at least as bad. Hey, I can now write a free software 
license which prohibits you from removing my spyware! The rm and kill 
commands are, of course, technical measures that would prevent my access 
to the software (the spyware). Same with changing the source code to 
remove the spyware.