Re: [OS:N:] Another multiple response (Basic rights warmed up in the microwave again)

--- Brent Fox <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Fri, 2003-08-15 at 05:20, James Michael DuPont wrote:
> 
> <snip>
> 
> > > 
> > > As I have repeatedly stated, there is *no* right to the source
> code
> > > of
> > > programs other people write. 
> > 
> > If they dont want to give them to you, no there is not. But people
> have
> > the right to use only free software, they have the right to refuse
> > aggreements that would take away that right, they have the right to
> try
> > study without having to use non-free software, they have the right
> to
> > point out and publicly decry others who would try and take these
> rights
> > away.
> 
> Look, if anyone doesn't accept the terms of the agreement (or *any*
> contract for that matter), JUST DON'T SIGN IT.  A vendor has the
> freedom
> to create a contract.  The customer has the freedom to agree to it or
> not.  Once they've agreed, they're legally obligated to abide by the
> terms of the contract so long as the contract doesn't violate any
> other
> existing laws.

> You make it sound as if people are being forced against their will to
> take our classes and give away their "basic freedoms," but no such
> thing
> is happening.  
<SNIP>


How many times do I need to say : 

1. It is absurd that the education program from red hat is not usable
using free software becuase the contracts preclude the usage of them.

2. The amount of schools and institutions that have similar policies is
scary, and I think it is a valid issue to bring up on the
open-source-now list.

3. The right to free software is a basic right, under copyright law
that is open to students who use normal copyrighted materials covered
upder copyrigth law and without any additional agreements that are
designed to take away these rights, the student will have that basic
right. Only the additional EULA and other mechanisms remove these
rights. Redhat and its exclusive providers employee such tactics of
removing the basic freedoms  granted by copyright law with much more
stronger binding clauses that I find deplorable.  A student that is
bound by these extra clauses that are spawned out of deep mistrust of
the student and will to control the students behaviour is unable to use
the basic free software and "open source" software to take part in the
training for "open source" software. 

4. It is very fair to make public and critism proponents of "open
source" and free software who aim to remove the students rights to use
"open source" and free software exclusivly.

5. Futhermore the lack of any mention of the issue of students rights
and freedom is a omission of the open-source-now project that I feel
has to be addressed. 


> But please stop badgering us about how we take
> people's freedoms away.  Quite frankly, it's absurd.  

So how should the community deal with "open source" companies that are
requireing the users to use non free software? Do you think that it
will just be accepted siently? Did you not care when the the executive
decision was made? I think that something is wrong here, and that I
needs to be made public. 

If you dont want me do badger you here about it, I can badger you
somewhere else about it. I will not stop until redhat makes it at least
possible for someone who only wants to use free software and open
source software exclusivly is able to take part in the redhat
courseware and educational experience. You always have the right to ban
me from the list if you dont like my opinon. 

I am not the one who is making accusations and throwing insults here,
and have offered to make public apologies for any ones that you point
out that I made unknowingly.  On the other hand, the proponents of IP
and non-free software on this list have repeatly avoided direct
questions and accused me of stupidity.

Why dont you answer to my RFC for a new and free way to distribute
content instead of attacking me on my defense of students basic rights
under us copyright law?

mike



=====
James Michael DuPont
http://introspector.sourceforge.net/

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