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Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

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Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#2
You can still write free software that uses it and produces a not-entirely-free artifact when compiled, though, right? (Is there a distribution restriction on the artifact, or is it impermissible to link it with GPL apps, or something?)

I'm curious if the free software apps are compelled not to link it to preserve the free software status of their code, or just voluntarily refusing on principle (which is laudable, to be clear).

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#3
post #2

You can still write free software that uses it and produces a not-entirely-free artifact when compiled, though, right? (Is there a distribution restriction on the artifact, or is it impermissible to link it with GPL apps, or something?) I'm curious if the free software apps are compelled not to link it to preserve the free software status of their code, or just voluntarily refusing on principle (which is laudable, to…

Only if you are the author of all the code, so that the GPL doesn't actually apply to you.

In this case, the Telegram-FOSS people take the original Telegram source (which is GPL licensed) and redistribute it, so they can't distribute a non-entirely-free apk without violating the original license.

Other apps using, for example, GPL licensed libraries or accepting third-party contributions under the GPL exclusively are also forbidden from redistributing non-entirely-free stuff.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#4
post #2

You can still write free software that uses it and produces a not-entirely-free artifact when compiled, though, right? (Is there a distribution restriction on the artifact, or is it impermissible to link it with GPL apps, or something?) I'm curious if the free software apps are compelled not to link it to preserve the free software status of their code, or just voluntarily refusing on principle (which is laudable, to…

[deleted]

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#5
post #2

You can still write free software that uses it and produces a not-entirely-free artifact when compiled, though, right? (Is there a distribution restriction on the artifact, or is it impermissible to link it with GPL apps, or something?) I'm curious if the free software apps are compelled not to link it to preserve the free software status of their code, or just voluntarily refusing on principle (which is laudable, to…

Only if you are the author of all the code, so that the GPL doesn't actually apply to you. In this case, the Telegram-FOSS people take the original Telegram source (which is GPL licensed) and redistribute it, so they can't distribute a non-entirely-free apk without violating the original license. Other apps using, for example, GPL licensed libraries or accepting third-party contributions under the GPL exclusively are…

Telegram violates multiple open source licenses, so I wouldn’t hold it up as an example.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only if you are the author of all the code, so that the GPL doesn't actually apply to you. In this case, the Telegram-FOSS people take the original Telegram source (which is GPL licensed) and redistribute it, so they can't distribute a non-entirely-free apk without violating the original license. Other apps using, for example, GPL licensed libraries or accepting third-party contributions under the GPL exclusively are…

Telegram violates multiple open source licenses, so I wouldn’t hold it up as an example.

> Telegram violates multiple open source licenses

Any examples for those who would like to learn more about this?

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only if you are the author of all the code, so that the GPL doesn't actually apply to you. In this case, the Telegram-FOSS people take the original Telegram source (which is GPL licensed) and redistribute it, so they can't distribute a non-entirely-free apk without violating the original license. Other apps using, for example, GPL licensed libraries or accepting third-party contributions under the GPL exclusively are…

Telegram violates multiple open source licenses, so I wouldn’t hold it up as an example.

Irrelevant; they can still sue the Telegram-FOSS team, even if they are themselves in violation of other licenses.

Re: Android now forces apps to include proprietary code for push notifications

#10
post #2

You can still write free software that uses it and produces a not-entirely-free artifact when compiled, though, right? (Is there a distribution restriction on the artifact, or is it impermissible to link it with GPL apps, or something?) I'm curious if the free software apps are compelled not to link it to preserve the free software status of their code, or just voluntarily refusing on principle (which is laudable, to…

Thought experiment: write an application that automatically downloads and combines code with all sorts of legally incompatible licenses to create an application and installs it on an Android device. If personally doing it is legal (and basically unenforceable), what about making it easy for others to? Besides, unless you're a "radical Stallmanist" (for lack of better term), chances are you have a mix of proprietary and FOSS and use it together on whatever data you work with.

This is why I think IP laws make no sense, arbitrary restrictions are arbitrary and stupid.

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