Founder of the Linux operating system, Linus
Torvalds, has said that there is no
reason why Linux could not include digital rights management technology, as
found in Microsoft's Windows operating system:
 In a
posting sent to a key Linux-focused email list, he outlined a
controversial proposal: Nothing in the basic rules for the Linux operating
system should block developers from using digital rights management (DRM)
technology. DRM tools are technological locks or identification measures
that range from ensuring a software program is genuine to protecting a
movie against unauthorised copying.
In some open-source and "free software" circles, such
technological locks and authentication measures are seen as infringements
on their freedom. In his posting, Torvalds took a more pragmatic approach
-- Linux is an operating system, not a political movement, and people
should ultimately be able to do what they want with it, he
said.
"I also don't necessarily like
DRM myself," Torvalds wrote on the "Linux-kernel" mailing list. "But...
I'm an 'Oppenheimer', and I refuse to play politics with Linux, and I
think you can use Linux for whatever you want to -- which very much
includes things I don't necessarily personally approve
of."
The posting and subsequent
discussion brought to light what remains a serious tension in some
open-source programming circles. |
Torvalds has said that the reason for posting
the message was to get feedback and it's not unlikely that he may change
his mind as a result of discussion. For now discussion are ongoing about whether DRM in
Linux is a good idea or not.
Source: ZDNet UK
