Hello,
On 10/11/2012 01:13 PM, Bradley M. Kuhn wrote:
I don't agree. I think the copyleft-incompatibility of app stores is specifically designed to work against the software freedom of users, particularly in Apple's case. In Google's case, they demand a permissive license from the author for Google's own benefit, which means there's no way copyleft-next could do that unless it had a "permissive out especially for Google" clause, which I think would be a bad idea.
I wasn't suggesting copyleft.next should support this scenario, as I expect it would weaken the license, which I agree would be a bad idea.
(sidenote, I don't see google demanding a permissive license in [1], is there a different agreement I should be aware of?)
App stores are just a way to distribute software. Why should some distributions get special treatment?
Luis' points are interesting on this: a true app-store that wants to DTRT should actually have no trouble complying with copyleft-next, or AGPLv3, for that matter!
I am talking about app-stores with significant market share. To be specific, I am talking about:
- Mac App Store and iOS App Store - Windows Store and Windows Phone Store - Google Play - Ubuntu Software Center
I don't consider any of these as wanting to Do The Right Thing. Specifically Microsoft and Apple seem very hostile toward free software.
As a software developer I want people to use my software, so I cannot simply ignore the incredible marketshare of these platforms. I have to make a choice.
I think this comes down to the old question of whether it is better to promote free software by only supporting sufficiently open and free platforms, and thereby depriving large groups of users of the opportunity to learn about free software through your application. Or if it is better to support closed platforms in order to reach their users and educate them about the virtues of free software, but in doing so contribute to strengthening the position of those evil platforms in the market.
-- kuno / warp.
[1] http://www.android.com/us/developer-distribution-agreement.html