[MPlayer-dev-eng] Re: GPLv3 draft

[Rich Felker]

On Thu, Jan 19, 2006 at 09:59:56PM +0100, Gábor Bérczi wrote:
> > The new clauses in the GPL v3 make it clear that the encryption keys
> > used to sign the binary are part of the source code (the preferred
> > form for modification) and thus that they must be distributed as part
> > of the source if they're needed to use modified versions of the
> > program. IMO this also is just a clarification, since these keys have
> > always been essential to modification (and thus part of the  
> "preferred
> > form").
> 
> Yeah, thus it effectively disables the sole great advantage of DRM -  
> certified and trusted binaries.

This is not an advantage.

You're totally free to sign your binaries with a secret key to
indicate to the USER that you vouch for their safety. This is an
advantage to the user; no version of the GPL forbids it. On the other
hand, singing the binaries with a secret key to indicate the the
HARDWARE that it's allowed to run the software is a huge disservice to
the user. It makes it impossible for the user to make their own local
modifications which are inherently trusted because they're made by the
same person who owns and operates the machine.

Idiots like yourself need to stop spreading this blatent FUD. DRM
NEVER HAS ANY POSITIVE EFFECTS. DRM IS NOT THE SAME AS SIGNING YOUR
CODE FOR THE USER'S SAKE. STFU.

Rich