[CS-FSLUG] Proprietary Software: Capitalism or Greed?

[Timothy Butler]

I think it is unjustifiable. There is nothing intrinsic about either  
proprietary or FOSS software that is greedy or not, it is why people  
do what they do with it. MySQL may be more greedy by luring people  
into thinking they can develop anything on top of their db before the  
developer realizes she must get a license "just to be safe" if she is  
going to keep the code internal (even if it is unpublished)... I'm  
not saying they are, just saying they *could* *be*.

Ultimately, it comes down to a lot more than greed. A good example  
comes out of my own small amount of programming. I've written a CMS  
called SAFARI. I released the first version under the GPL, but  
version 2, which is much different, I have not released at all. I've  
contemplated GPL'ing it, but I don't know if I should -- do I really  
want to put my code up for public scrutiny? Since I'm not looking to  
develop in the bazaar model, essentially I'm exposing my code to  
those who might want to break into it without an increase in  
developer power. But my primary job isn't developing code, hence why  
I'm not sure I'm interested in a bazaar model -- I want to take my  
time developing it the way I want it.

Or, consider Apple. Darwin's kernel was FOSS, but lately, Apple has  
quit releasing the x86 versions under  the FOSS Darwin Project  
umbrella. Why? Because they cannot afford to aid those who would use  
that FOSS code to undermine the sales of the products (hardware) that  
pays the developers for that code (by learning ways to circumvent the  
protection module that keeps Mac OS X from running on generic PC's  
illegally). Maybe that's greed, but if I like Mac OS X, it is in my  
interest to insure that those developers keep getting paid.

Also, many niche products simply aren't used by enough large  
companies that even a collaborative FOSS development project could  
replace them. If the software wasn't proprietary, it probably  
wouldn't be...

	-Tim

On Mar 20, 2006, at 9:55 AM, Don Parris wrote:

> Recently, Eben Moglen was quoted as saying that proprietary  
> software wasn't
> really about capitalism, but about greed.  While that sounds good,  
> what is the
> basis for such a statement?  The statement is important because it  
> cuts to
> the heart of the defense of proprietary software.
>
> This is part of my research for an article, so please consider the  
> possibility
> that I may want to quote you.  Thus, if you will not be able to  
> control your
> emotions in any heated debate that may arise, or you just cannot  
> stomach
> another capitalism vs communism discussion, you might choose to  
> ignore the
> thread. ;-)
>
>
> The fact that software was free in the beginning does not, in and  
> of itself,
> account for the nature of proprietary software.  However, proprietary
> software does circumvent our fair use rights under copyright law.  For
> example, it would be considered a fair use of Microsoft's software  
> if I
> modified it to run more efficiently, or added new features for my  
> computer.
>
> I do not believe that capitalism depends on circumventing user's
> freedom/rights in order to thrive.  In fact, it would seem to me that
> capitalism depends on everyone being free to produce and compete.   
> But is
> this the sole basis for suggesting that proprietary software is  
> about greed?
> And how strong an argument is it?
>
> People who rent or buy houses are nevertheless restricted by HOA  
> (home-owner
> assoc.) regs and landlord-tennant agreements.  You have more  
> freedom if you
> buy a house, but you're far more free if you buy out in the  
> country, away
> from the HOA's.  Thus, many would argue that we trade our freedom/ 
> rights
> every day in order to obtain things we want.  They would suggest that
> proprietary software is no different.  What positions would each of  
> you take
> on this argument.  Does circumventing the "fair-use" clause  
> constitute a
> grievous harm against our civil rights?
>
> What other arguments support the claim that proprietary software is  
> about
> greed, not capitalism?  What are the strengths and weaknesses of such
> arguments?  What are your positions on these arguments?  I  
> appreciate your
> time and thoughts in advance.
>
> Don
> -- 
> DC Parris
>
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