AGPLv3§74 Empowers Users to Thwart Badgeware Like OnlyOffice
4 hours ago
- #AGPLv3
- #Copyleft
- #Open Source Licensing
- The article discusses AGPLv3 Section 7 Paragraph 4, which addresses the problem of self-contradictory licenses by allowing users to remove further restrictions.
- A historical issue with GPLv2 involved vendors adding contradictory terms that prohibited commercial use, leaving users legally uncertain and unable to exercise their rights.
- AGPLv3§7¶4 was introduced to empower downstream users to discard invalid restrictions, such as those that conflict with the license's core freedoms.
- Onlyoffice, by Ascensio System SIA, implemented a sneaky further restriction requiring logo preservation while denying trademark rights, creating a self-contradictory license.
- Nextcloud and IONOS forked Onlyoffice to create Euro-Office, legally removing the invalid restriction under AGPLv3§7¶4, despite Ascensio's aggressive response.