I bet there are literally hundreds of apps in the appstore with GPL licensed software. Developers need to understand the licenses they are using to make sure that they can distribute their applications as they like. Obviously, you are now officially going to be at risk if you use GPL in iPhone apps or any other similar appstore that has a FairPlay/DRM type system.
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Last Chance to Get VLC for iPhone/iPad? Likely to be Pulled from App Store?
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Just downloaded it but apple can yank it off our pads if they want to. If they do, this will be the straw that broke the camels back, and will move over to HP when the webOS tablet comes out. Apple is getting way to greedy, trying to close there system more so we can keep paying the piper. This cloud computing is already beginning to stink very bad.
How is this "Apple getting way too greedy"? Actually, y'know, read the article and the GPL licensing which is the core of the problem.Wait, so the FSF is arguing that a developer cannot give away its own software as it sees fit?
LMFAO
LMFAO
Question: Did anybody get the sound of movies to work within this app? I didn't, so found it basically useless.
No, a developer is arguing that his code submissions were made under the GPL and that the terms of the license are being violated by current App Store policies, thus his copyrights are being infringed upon.
No one forces any project to license their stuff under the GPL. Those that do obviously agree with the terms of the license. The FSF has no say in how developers want to give away their own software. If the GPL is too stringent, then after all copyright holders agree, a change of license can occur easily.
Thanks for the heads up, just downloaded mines. Hoping we get to see more of VLC & some updates, this is truly a great app.
Aw that's not cool. I guess I'll just keep it backed up because hey, this app is really damn useful! It means I don't have to convert my downloaded/previously converted videos to be iPod compatible, saving on keeping my computer on all night as they encode.
Watched a couple of videos on mine last night, was surprised at how simple and well it did its job.
Watched a couple of videos on mine last night, was surprised at how simple and well it did its job.
Way to actively reduce the number of potential users of your software. I doubt this guy will be very popular around the development table if he succeeds.
In other news, this is a very good argument to licensing under BSD rather than GPL.
In other news, this is a very good argument to licensing under BSD rather than GPL.
In case none of you guys haven't noticed it yet... But exactly there is the problem with the GPL and the AppStore: Not having the chance to obtain and install the software without the AppStore is already a violation of the GPL and contradicts the spirit of FREE software.
Maybe the same people should sue Apple for using WebKit in their Mobile Safari. That would be fun -- after all, a lot of the stuff that Safari uses is GPLed software...
The issue the FSF has is that I can't give my binary to my friend without going through the AppStore. But, the GPL doesn't require binaries it requires source. If I have a developer license with Apple I CAN compile and install my own VLC App, yes? VLC deos provide the iOS Source, yes? Where is the problem?
A fine example of why some of the GPL lot are just as arrogant and controlling as the companies they claim to be fighting.
Capitalists, communists... the extremes of both sides are equally blinkered, destructive and generally annoying.
That's very true, the press and sites like the Register will probably spin it into "evil Apple banning VLC from the App Store because they disagree with the GPL" or something along those lines. Any speaking of the truth will be dismissed as fanboyism. That's the way of things...
Capitalists, communists... the extremes of both sides are equally blinkered, destructive and generally annoying.
That's very true, the press and sites like the Register will probably spin it into "evil Apple banning VLC from the App Store because they disagree with the GPL" or something along those lines. Any speaking of the truth will be dismissed as fanboyism. That's the way of things...
Nothing is perfect or pure.
That's said it's fascinating how many people become so fearful, angry, and vicious if it involves Apple in the slightest. The name calling & explosive language of those who write it, is very revealing.
That's said it's fascinating how many people become so fearful, angry, and vicious if it involves Apple in the slightest. The name calling & explosive language of those who write it, is very revealing.
I agree. It's a complex world out there. If we are to grab our pitchforks and torches at every sign of trouble, best leave them by the door for easy access.
No kidding, it drowns out any legitimate concerns with anything Apple does because you have ridiculous GPL type arguments claiming the to be the only other side. It's a crazy black and white world they live in.
FSF Step Out of Bounds
Honestly, on this issue, who cares what FSF thinks? While FSF likes making stirs about freedom---maybe to capture fundraising attention, but who knows?---in this case it is adding restrictions. FSF is totally out to lunch.
Don't misunderstand. I am all about free software, but I use also lots and lots of paid software I license from developers because I don't want the poor quality usability of Linux. I use a lot of open source software, including VLC, Handbrake and the most amazing TeX typesetting system, part of which Adobe uses in its InDesign application, which I don't use. I also contribute work to open source projects. So I am not an open source detractor or freeloader. Not at all.
However, FSF has way too many people thinking it has legal knowledge. The media gives it way too much credence. FSF is not the final voice on anything, ever. If you read its logic on this, you see it is missing the point. FSF is compromised by its general position opposing the use of OSX or the iPhone. Read its homepage.
VLC for Apple mobil products is available for redistribution. That's what really annoys FSF. That Apple allows VLC on the iTunes App store does not change the native licensing of VLC. FSF is wrong on this. FSF is acting like an imperialist on this issue, thinking it is correct and attempting to force its rule on everyone else.
The problem with FSF is its political philosophy. It wants all software to be free, yet, it begs for money online. "Don't pay for software," it says, "send your money to FSF." Also, it is compromised by its general opposition to Apple selling any software. Because it lives by ideology, rather than humanity, FSF has lost its mind on this issue. Lets hope FSF gets the message and shuts up, or, removes its interest from the VLC project and slithers into a corner to suck on a free beer.
Honestly, on this issue, who cares what FSF thinks? While FSF likes making stirs about freedom---maybe to capture fundraising attention, but who knows?---in this case it is adding restrictions. FSF is totally out to lunch.
Don't misunderstand. I am all about free software, but I use also lots and lots of paid software I license from developers because I don't want the poor quality usability of Linux. I use a lot of open source software, including VLC, Handbrake and the most amazing TeX typesetting system, part of which Adobe uses in its InDesign application, which I don't use. I also contribute work to open source projects. So I am not an open source detractor or freeloader. Not at all.
However, FSF has way too many people thinking it has legal knowledge. The media gives it way too much credence. FSF is not the final voice on anything, ever. If you read its logic on this, you see it is missing the point. FSF is compromised by its general position opposing the use of OSX or the iPhone. Read its homepage.
VLC for Apple mobil products is available for redistribution. That's what really annoys FSF. That Apple allows VLC on the iTunes App store does not change the native licensing of VLC. FSF is wrong on this. FSF is acting like an imperialist on this issue, thinking it is correct and attempting to force its rule on everyone else.
The problem with FSF is its political philosophy. It wants all software to be free, yet, it begs for money online. "Don't pay for software," it says, "send your money to FSF." Also, it is compromised by its general opposition to Apple selling any software. Because it lives by ideology, rather than humanity, FSF has lost its mind on this issue. Lets hope FSF gets the message and shuts up, or, removes its interest from the VLC project and slithers into a corner to suck on a free beer.
This is business, and it has strange bedfellows at times.
The possible connection of Nokia and this employee can not be dismissed. But also could be a case where the employee is trying to preserve his job with Nokia while working on the VLC GPL.
Not sure if you were be sarcastic in the comment... Apple under its own TOC could require them to pull it.
^ Stuff gets pulled when it shouldn't be and sometimes when it should. Stupid but sometimes it's a part of business.
It's not Apple or VLC making any complaint. Can we make this clearer in the original post because everyone thinks this is on Apple's shoulders. It's some bunch of baby's worried about how "open" a free app is. Why does it matter so much that a free open piece of software have the special ability to be distributed beyond the account the app is associated to?
They're gonna try to prove a point while pissing everyone else off.
It's not Apple or VLC making any complaint. Can we make this clearer in the original post because everyone thinks this is on Apple's shoulders. It's some bunch of baby's worried about how "open" a free app is. Why does it matter so much that a free open piece of software have the special ability to be distributed beyond the account the app is associated to?
They're gonna try to prove a point while pissing everyone else off.
Sorry for the wrong info app still up!!!!!
It's still there, iPad kept failing but got it through my laptopt
Just tried to download to iPad, getting " unable to purchase" pop up and dl fails!
It's still there, iPad kept failing but got it through my laptopt
Just tried to download to iPad, getting " unable to purchase" pop up and dl fails!
Just downloaded it.. Working fine for me.
this. I thought providing a link to source code was legal? Surely not every .deb has the source included, everything would be huge!
Completely agree. I also feel this will come back to bite them in the ass as they are claiming that Apple has broken the GPL license but in fact the Author, Applidium, has broken Apple's developer licensing agreement first by not having the legal right to publish the App based on the agreement. Also Apple removes itself (can't remember the correct legal term) from being liable in cases like this. My guess is Apple says screw it and leaves it on to make a point, the only party that will lose is Applidium and FSF. who knows though