Tue, Jul 31, 2012 | 20:22 BST
GNU OS founder says Steam on Linux is “unethical” due to DRM
Free Software Foundation and GNU operating system founder Richard Stallman believes it’s “unethical” for Steam to sell DRM-protected games on an open-source platform like Linux.
Speaking on his blog, via BBC, Stallman said “non-free game programs ike other non-free programs,” are unethical because they “deny freedom to their users.”
“Any GNU/Linux distro [distribution] that comes with software to offer these games will teach users that the point is not freedom,” said Stallman. “Non-free software in GNU/Linux distros already works against the goal of freedom. Adding these games to a distro would augment that effect.
“If you want freedom, one requisite for it is not having non-free programs on your computer,” he wrote, stating Linux users should source titles from the Free Game Dev Forums instead.
“However, if you’re going to use these games, you’re better off using them on GNU/Linux rather than on Microsoft Windows.”
Valve hasn’t provide a window for when Linux will be supported, but it announced a Linux version of Left 4 Dead 2 will be the first compatible title released.
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Posted in: Steam
Tags: linux, Richard Stallman
7 comments
#1
Se_7_eN
31/07/12, 9:09 pm
This attitude is why no one will remember the name “Richard Stallman”.
#2
Mineral4r7s
31/07/12, 9:12 pm
More people will remember his name then your name.
#3
absolutezero
31/07/12, 9:39 pm
INSTALL GENTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
#4
Se_7_eN
01/08/12, 12:05 am
@2 – Easy Richard… I didn’t mean to offend you.
#5
Telepathic.Geometry
01/08/12, 12:42 am
I don’t see the problem. He says Linux’s ideal is that everything should be free and open-source, so it’s not really in keeping with the philosophy to have non-free games on there, BUT, fuck it, it’s better than Windows so, whatever. Airtight statement, Shirley!
#6
DSB
01/08/12, 1:10 am
I don’t think most great inventors mind being outlived and outshone by their own inventions. Least of all Stallman.
He’s always had a lot to say though. He hasn’t been entirely thrilled by how Linux was handled either
#7
expose the core
01/08/12, 8:33 am
The world needs more visionaries and idealists like Richard Stallman.