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It's literally not a statement of opinion. It's a factual statement about how computers work. And yeah people hack their appliances all the time. Car modders r

It's literally not a statement of opinion. It's a factual statement about how computers work. And yeah people hack their appliances all the time. Car modders replace all sorts of things; I don't see why they wouldn't touch software (in fact I already gave an example of an obvious piece of control software to mod: locked down seat heaters). Airplanes have a unique regulatory environment where "consumer" protection is less relevant, but for the same reason it's not like copyright serves a purpose. I'm familiar with the law; I said we should change it. And no, when I buy a computer, I own the computer, not a limited license to use it. It is 100% mine. I can smash it with a hammer and no one has any recourse because they don't own it; I do. I can replace chips on the board if I'd like, or move chips onto another board. And I absolutely can install other software on it if I please.

otterley 9d ago
> when I buy a computer, I own the computer, not a limited license to use it. You own the hardware portion of the computer. You do not own the software portion. Look, if you don't believe me (IAAL who studied this in detail), ask your own attorney. If they tell you different, give me their contact info. :-) > And I absolutely can install other software on it if I please. You might be able to do that, mechanically speaking, but the vendor is under no obligation to help you either install it or make it work (safely, or even at all).
- ndriscoll 9d ago
  Yes, this is why I say we should abolish software copyright, and the vendor should have an obligation to provide their source code, and it should be illegal to use technological measures to try to stop you from making it work (e.g. firmware signature checks). Basically the Free Software definition should be made law. I wouldn't have had to say I support changing the law if it were already correct.

otterley 9d ago

> when I buy a computer, I own the computer, not a limited license to use it. You own the hardware portion of the computer. You do not own the software portion. Look, if you don't believe me (IAAL who studied this in detail), ask your own attorney. If they tell you different, give me their contact info. :-) > And I absolutely can install other software on it if I please. You might be able to do that, mechanically speaking, but the vendor is under no obligation to help you either install it or make it work (safely, or even at all).

ndriscoll 9d ago
Yes, this is why I say we should abolish software copyright, and the vendor should have an obligation to provide their source code, and it should be illegal to use technological measures to try to stop you from making it work (e.g. firmware signature checks). Basically the Free Software definition should be made law. I wouldn't have had to say I support changing the law if it were already correct.