Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> If you provide a tool, you are not entitled to control how I use that tool. I am allowed to retain my autonomy to use that tool in any legal way I choose.

That principle eems like it was rule out the GPL, AGPL, and other copyleft software?



I touched on this in a cousin comment, but freedom 0 of the GPL states categorically that the user has:

>The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose

Redistributing modified versions of the software it what is regulated under the GPL and other copyleft licences. Even then, the main aim of this restriction is to subvert the system of copyright which works in the opposite way (and unlike copyleft, is not just an academic concern, being constantly wielded by people and companies as a weapon against free speech).


I don't think that's true for the AGPL? If I publish something under the AGPL, I am saying that you are allowed to run it on your server as long as the users who interact with it are able to download the source code including any modifications you have made. That sounds a lot like controlling how you use a tool I have made available?




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: