Movatterモバイル変換

Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 22:23:38 -0700 (MST)From: Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org>To: ben@algroup.co.ukSubject: Re: [open-source] [Fwd: [icecast-dev] Xiph.org announces Vorbis Beta 4 and the Xiph.org The GPL is not an end in itself; it is a measure to protect ourfreedom.  In general I would rather see software copylefted, which isone way of defending users' freedom against one particular danger.  Inthe case of Ogg/Vorbis, there is a bigger danger from anotherdirection: the danger that people will settle on MP3 format eventhough it is patented, and we won't be *allowed* to write freeencoders for the most popular format.To overcome the inertia that supports MP3 format will requirestrenuous effort.  Even if we do our utmost to encourage everyone toreplace MP3 format with Ogg/Vorbis format, it is not certain they willdo so.  Consider how long we have been trying to replace GIF with PNG.Ordinarily, if someone decides not to use a copylefted program becausethe license doesn't please him, that's his loss not ours.  But if herejects the Ogg/Vorbis code because of the license, and uses MP3instead, then the problem rebounds on us--because his continued use ofMP3 may help MP3 to become and stay entrenched.Thus, my agreement with the idea of a lax license in this special caseis just as pragmatic as my preference for the GPL in most cases.  Inboth cases it is a matter of how we can attain freedom.