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Why do we open source software in the first place? For most of us, I think it's because we want people to use it. And, yes, we want people to use it under cert
by mikeash 9y ago
Why do we open source software in the first place?
For most of us, I think it's because we want people to use it. And, yes, we want people to use it under certain conditions, it's not a free-for-all, but using it is an important part. If it wasn't, we'd just keep it closed.
Going straight to harsh enforcement for a violation isn't going to help with that. There are already a lot of people unwilling to consider open source for anything because they misunderstand it and think that they'll automatically open source all of their own stuff if they do. Imagine if open source copyright owners had a reputation for going immediately for a lawsuit and statutory damages upon discovering a violation!
Figure out what your goal is, then do whatever helps accomplish that goal. The behavior of organizations like the MPAA and RIAA probably doesn't enter into it.
- belorn 9y agoWhen people work on a volunteer basis, I would actually guess that people get more emotional when the social contract is broken by a profit seeking company. Going straight to harsh enforcement in order to strengthen the social contracts might sound illogical, but I would bet that its common through out history. Just look at historical societies that operated on a honor bound system and see how harsh enforcement were, even when the punishment has a cost to that society. There is multiple strategies to keep social contracts. Forgiveness is good, but so is enforcement. Site like HN do ban people, but also warn people. I am uncertain if any singular tactic is best.