Re: [GNU-linux-libre] [PATCH] gnu: Add ungoogled-chromium.

[bill-auger <bill-auger@peers.community>]

On Mon, 4 Feb 2019 07:26:59 -0500 Julie wrote:
> I have never seen any actual evidence of the current version of
> Chromium containing proprietary components.
> It's an unreasonable standard to demand proof that programs are libre.

julie, that is like saying "i dont see any evidence on that new car
that says: i do not belong to you" - would you then conclude that you
can drive it home? - i think you would prefer to see the explicit
evidence proving that you do in fact have the right to do that

the default copy permissions for every copyrighted work is "none" - in
order for that work be be set free, the author must very explicitly
label it as such, and try their very best to ensure that their formal
statement of permission follows along with any copies of it - because if
that permission is missing, or difficult to locate or to comprehend,
there is no reason to assume the work is freely distributable

the burden of proof is not upon the one who claims that the default
case applies, it is upon the one who claims that some special case
applies

i will say again though, that my main intention was not to make any
claims neither for nor against this particular program; but to entice
the guix devs to discuss it on the FSDG mailing list for the benefit
of the others who are also interested