Re: [GNU-linux-libre] youtube-dl might be running non-free software from

[J.B. Nicholson]

address@hidden wrote:
> I haved audited the JSInterpreter class in youtube-dl. Here are my
> findings:

Thanks for doing this research and publishing the results.

> So, while youtube-dl is an invaluable tool.. it is not exactly clear to me
> whether it can be considered free libre software.
> * The source code is available and it is permissively licensed [per
> https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/blob/master/LICENSE]

This makes youtube-dl free software. The FSF's review of The Unlicense 
(youtube-dl's public domain dedication) notes that works under this 
dedication are GNU GPL compatible. The FSF recommends using the CC0 
Creative Commons license to dedicate copyrightable works to the public 
domain because CC0 contains "a fallback license, and is more thorough and 
mature than the Unlicense". After reading https://unlicense.org/ 
(particularly the rationale section) I concur with the FSF's assessment.

> * The program munges nonfree javascript, allowing the user to accomplish a
> task without executing it.
> * The program is used to violate TOS, but software freedom 0 says we have
> the right to use a program for any purpose.

I don't see how either of these points renders youtube-dl non-free.