DRM is self-defeating (was: Encrypt python files)

[Chris Angelico]

On Wed, May 6, 2015 at 5:41 PM, Ben Finney <ben+python at benfinney.id.au> wrote:
> The only feasible solution is to distribute files only to those
> recipients you want to have them, and can trust to do with them as you
> ask. If you don't trust a recipient, don't hand the files to them.

in today's world, that basically gives two good options:

1) Distribute your code far and wide, let every man and his dog clone
your source code, and license it so they're allowed to; or
2) Host your code on a server that people don't get access to, and
have them interact with it remotely.

Either way works really well. You can have closed-source software that
people never directly see, yet benefit from (and potentially pay you),
or you can let people see everything they're running. The problem only
comes when you try to hybridize.

(Aside: Most people carry mobile phones they don't truly own/control,
so they're restricted by what the device manufacturer offers them.
Despite looking superficially like the first case, it's really more
like the second.)

ChrisA