French bill could chill open source

#1 MW Forums

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Posted 14 April 2006 - 12:07 PM

A bill before the French Senate could have a chilling effect on the development and distribution of open-source software. more

#2 jedi228

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Posted 14 April 2006 - 12:18 PM

Such dumb laws only punish the good guys.
The bad guys don't have addresses and work out of/through other countries where they cannot be found. Unsavory software already exists and France's laws won't make them disappear.

#3 jmincey

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Posted 14 April 2006 - 12:23 PM

It's premature to call this a dumb law. This article is all over the map and there seems to be no lack of hysteria surrounding this proposed legislation. To be sure, I would want the French to have their eyes open to unintended consequences of such a law; but I suspect some of the law's opponents are engaging in "sky is falling" tactics.
I'm a strong proponent of open source software and also of differentiating a technology from how it can be used. For instance, the technology we know as the common photocopier should not be equated with the act of making unauthorized copies. So if this law would have a chilling effect on the former in order to address the latter, then I would be strongly opposed to it. But this remains to be seen; we will have to see how the provisions shake out.

#4 Schneb

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Posted 14 April 2006 - 12:55 PM

This is true jmincey. I just wish there were provisions in the law that could examine whether a person is doing this reduntantly or just as an oopsie. Like the previous poster put it, don't punish the good guy, punish the criminal.

#5 rasterbator

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Posted 14 April 2006 - 01:13 PM

Can't the Electronic Frontiers Foudation or some other group put a stop to these French laws? Nothing good can come of this.

#6 HumanJHawkins

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Posted 15 April 2006 - 09:10 AM

In reply to:

It's premature to call this a dumb law. <cut> I'm a strong proponent of open source software and also of differentiating a technology from how it can be used.

I agree. Frankly, while I don't like the law, it appears pretty solid to me.
The reactions of putting linux in the "reserve" to protect it is a clear example of mischaracterizing one's opponent to try to weaken their position. I don't know what has happened in the world that allowed people to start doing this without getting called on it.
So I ask this: What kind of unbiased report on this could possibly avoid laughing at the idea that including a TCP/IP stack in Linux was "manifestly intended" to promote unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works?
I am all for removing the restrictions placed on software that this bill targets. I just value truth over my own personal wishes.

#7 jmincey

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Posted 15 April 2006 - 10:49 AM

"What kind of unbiased report on this could possibly avoid laughing at the idea that including a TCP/IP stack in Linux was "manifestly intended" to promote unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works?"
Very well said. I think modern day journalists are rather like the folklore of the frog in the frying pan who will allow itself to get burned to death only because the temperature is gradually turned up, whereas any suddenly change would have it leaping out of the pan. Journalists today tolerate flagrant nonsense ostensibly on grounds of neutrality and objective reporting but in fact I contend they are the frog and just don't even KNOW how hot things have become.
Even mainstream media reports utter nonsense with a straight face, and stands by to leave it to someone else to say the emperor has no clothes. Journalists should be fairminded in their reporting of hard news articles -- of course. News is one thing; editorial columns are another. No argument there. But there are limits and you call attention to a perfect example of one.
Journalists (and more often editors and publishers) have always had to make subjective decisions about what to cover and how to cover it. And it's time that they rediscover their standards and start applying a greater news filter.
Too often they hide behind journalistic devices such as "It has been reported in the [Name of Publication] that," or "According to unnamed sources," or "So-and-so is on record as saying..." and they think this gets them off the hook, for they are only passing information along. Especially in the age of the internet, journalists should be more than just a mouthpiece; and I hope we haven't come to the point that we can't differentiate between a blogger and journalist.
And I'll step down from my soapbox just long enough to say I don't actually mean to imply this characterizes Macworld, because I don't think it generally does. But you have pushed a button and I DO witness a trend in the profession in this direction, with no end in sight yet.

#8 macnuke

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Posted 15 April 2006 - 07:49 PM

jeff.. "it's the French".. how do you argue with that simple statement.
when you are bored.. go to google.
for your search.. enter..
French Military Victories
then you will understand all about them. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

#9 jmincey

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Posted 15 April 2006 - 08:26 PM

"when you are bored.. go to google. for your search.. enter.. 'French Military Victories' then you will understand all about them."
No, what I will then understand is all about the ignorant American extreme rightwing. I realize you were just being a bit lighthearted, but if you would like to learn the truth about this, I commend you to this brief excerpt of a Molly Ivins article (copyright by Creators Syndicate) from Februrary of 2003:

#10 macnuke

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Posted 16 April 2006 - 04:44 AM

ahh jeff, the frozen north must have chilled your humor.
but
google is the "ignorant american extreme right wing"? for shame.
I'll alert CNN /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
the french do many things that the world doesn't understand. no different than any other political body.
personally, i am against any legislation with the words "open source" in it.. that alone opens the worm can.

#11 jmincey

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Posted 16 April 2006 - 05:30 AM

In reply to:

google is the "ignorant american extreme right wing"?

Of course not. Google is just a search engine. Much of what its search results uncover on this subject is from the extreme right however. Not all, but much of it -- especially the early hits.
"the french do many things that the world doesn't understand..."
True, but I think it's the Americans who have the hardest time understanding the French and right now I think the world has a harder time understanding the Americans than understanding the French.
"...I am against any legislation with the words "open source" in it.. that alone opens the worm can."
Unless the legislation seeks to protect and preserve open source, I'm inclined to agree.

#12 macnuke

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Posted 16 April 2006 - 09:18 AM

jeff
I'm laughing
you need to.
politics are not going to be discussed in any seriousness whatsoever by me on these boards.
so whatever political view that you, me, or anyone else has or doesn't have, it's best kept to ourselves or another forum.

smile.. it's a good thing /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif