[consulting] AGPL [was: Copyright]

[Luigi Bai]

Generally, here's more information about Affero GPL:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#SeparateAffero
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#UnreleasedMods
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#AGPLv3InteractingRemotely

and others on the page generally (search for AGPL).

To answer your question: it depends on who's running the server. If the 
person(s) running the server you're interacting with is/are the copyright 
holders of the AGPL code on that server, then technically they don't have to 
disclose anything to you. When they convey code to you under the AGPL, -you- 
have to comply with the terms. That means -you- would have to release all the 
mods to that code if users interact with it on your server over the network.

If you're asking about whether you can trust a server running AGPL code 
because the source they serve you is what they're running, well the AGPL is 
not designed to provide you that level of assurance. If the server 
operator(s) is/are not the copyright holder(s), the server operator(s) 
is/are -required- to release the code under the terms of the AGPL, but of 
course any given server could be out of compliance. If they are, the 
copyright holder(s) can bring suit to compel them to either comply with the 
AGPL or stop using the software. Some tips on reporting violations are on 
another page: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.html .

So, broadly, yes they can't -legally- change the code without disclosing the 
changes to users, but the question of whether they're complying or not is a 
different one; and as a user, an issue you can only evaluate based on trust.

This is my opinion only; I'm not a lawyer and can't provide legal advice.
Luigi

On Sunday, 25 April 2010, George Lee wrote:
> Question somewhat related -- is Affero GPL a license designed to make sure
> that if you're using a program over a network, someone can't legally change
> that program without you knowing and seeing the changes, for example to
> prevent screwing with you? For example, they couldn't change some online
> program to suddenly save your credit card info and send it out to their
> friends, or spy on information that it is supposedly encrypting?
> 
> Peace, community, justice,
> - George
>