We told you back in November that the VLC app for the iPhone and iPad would be removed from Apple’s iOS App store. The reason the app was going to be removed was that one of the original developers of VLC, Rémi Denis-Courmont, felt that the GNU license under which the VLC app is published clashed with Apple’s DRM.
Rémi Denis-Courmont asked Apple to remove the application back in November, and now it looks like Apple has acted on this as the application has now been removed from the App store.
Understanding the GNU Public License and DRM Conflict
The reason the developer asked for the app to be removed is because VLC has a GNU Public License (GPL). This license allows the software to be freely copied, modified, and shared by anyone. The GPL is designed to ensure that the software remains free and open for all users. However, this principle directly conflicts with Apple’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) policies. Apple inserts DRM code into every application in the App store, which restricts how the software can be used and shared. This DRM code essentially locks the software to the device and the Apple ecosystem, preventing the free distribution that the GPL aims to protect.
This conflict between the GPL and Apple’s DRM is not unique to VLC. Other open-source applications have faced similar issues when trying to enter the App Store. The GPL’s requirement for freedom and Apple’s need for control over its ecosystem create a fundamental incompatibility.
The Impact on Users and the Open-Source Community
The removal of the VLC app from the App Store is a significant loss for iPhone and iPad users. VLC is renowned for its ability to play a wide variety of video formats, making it a versatile tool for media consumption. Without VLC, users are limited to the formats supported by Apple’s native apps or other third-party apps that may not offer the same level of functionality.
For the open-source community, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of distributing GPL-licensed software on platforms with restrictive DRM policies. It raises important questions about the future of open-source software in closed ecosystems. Can open-source principles coexist with the commercial interests of companies like Apple? This is a debate that continues to evolve as technology and software distribution methods change.
Moreover, the removal of VLC from the App Store may push users towards jailbreaking their devices to install the app from unofficial sources. Jailbreaking, while offering more freedom, comes with its own set of risks, including security vulnerabilities and the potential voiding of warranties.
In the broader context, this situation underscores the importance of understanding software licenses and their implications. For developers, choosing a license is not just a legal formality but a decision that can affect the distribution and use of their software. For users, being aware of these issues can inform their choices and advocacy for more open and user-friendly policies.
I suspect we won’t see the VLC app for the iPhone and iPad back in the App Store anytime in the near future, which is a shame because it was a great application that allowed you to watch videos in other formats. However, the open-source community is resilient, and alternative solutions may emerge to fill the gap left by VLC’s absence.
via TFTS
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