Require that software always be distributed with source code. Unlike Free (as in Freedom) software, which can be redistributed, the source code still remains under copyright (so cannot be redestributed). It may be ported, modified, optimized, etc., for personal or internal use only, but remains protected. If everyone does it, claims of copyright infringement can be contested by examining both source code.
The biggest thing that will no longer be possible (or at least, more difficult) is DRM. Good riddance.
Anything else? Will it be good or bad for the actual Free software movement?
This could be implemented first for government procurement: any software the government buys (or pays for) must be accompanied with source code. Even more justifiable: any software that runs on a computer with access to classified information.
1 comment :
It never occurred to me before: does the government often buy software without getting the source code? Well, of course I know they buy closed-source software when they buy commercial off the shelf software like Windows, alas, but I mean custom ordered software... if the government hires someone to write custom software, I assume (but don't know) that they get the source code... right? Wrong?
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