Hacker News Reader

Hacker News

Comment by panacea | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

panacea

I already have it installed from the first time it was available.

Then it got pulled... why/how is it back?

View on HN

Because the GPL is incompatible with the AppStore terms, because it notably limits the usage rights.

I relicensed most of VLC engine to LGPL, during the past 2 years, and finished it last november.

Since then, we rewrote the app for iOS and it is dual-licensed under MPL and GPL.

I don't get why you keep suggesting that the GPL is incompatible with the appp store but the LGPL isn't.

Also, what limits the usage rights is the app store, NOT the GPL.

>Also, what limits the usage rights is the app store, NOT the GPL.

Exactly, but it is forbidden to limit the rights when redistributing (section 6) that are granted (running, copying, distribution and modification, section 0). Therefore redistribution of GPL app is forbidden on the AppStore. LGPL does not have those dispositions.

All versions of both the LGPL and the GPL forbid imposing further restrictions other than each of their respective terms. If you think the app store has a problem with the GPL, then the app store also has a problem with the LGPL.

One of the VLC devs threw a hissy fit and had it taken down because "muh GPL"

Whatever licensing terms you choose for your software, I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't call legitimate complaints about other people breaking those terms "a hissy fit". I suggest you refrain from doing that to other people's complaints.

So? A neighbor who continually calls the cops on you for noise complaints during daytime hours would be throwing a hissy fit, even if it was legal. He has a right to complain, of course, but that doesn't mean anyone else can't complain about his actions. Satisfying the spirit of the licence and missing out a tiny piece of legalese, and being punished for it, is not something a society wants to encourage.

Pulling VLC from the app store was legitimate, but still a hissy fit, as seen by the fact they immediately relicenced it to LGPL and remade the app.

It was pulled because the GPL license made Apple sad. Now it's MPL (Mozilla Public License) which Apple doesn't have a problem with.

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/07/18/vlc-for-ios-will-retur...

Not correct. Apple got a takedown request from a single (non-core) developer of VLC last time and had to comply due to the GPL.

The GPL itself is not a problem for them in general and they don't just go around removing apps that are licensed under it.

> single (non-core) developer of VLC

That's not true.

Apple weren't bothered with the GPL, the GPL has a problem with FairPlay encryption.

Nope. Apple's App store encryption is compatible with both GPLv2 and GPLv3. (A lot of people think the anti-Tivoization provisions in GPLv3 are not compatible with the App store. These people have not read GPLv3 carefully. The anti-Tivoization provisions are much narrower than they think).

The problem was with the TOS that a user must agree to in order to be allowed to use the store. The TOS places limits on the user that are incompatible with GPL.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com