🚀 go-pugleaf

Just a word in defense of terrorism, um, I mean, in defense of the use of
the word "terrorist" to describe Apple's legal actions.

Terrorism doesn't necessarily imply physical violence.  The point is, the
terrorist uses fear ("terror") as a weapon, creating a climate where the
community in general is afraid to proceed normally.  The terrorist creates
that climate of fear by making conspicuous examples out of a few individuals.

If you accept the above definition, it's easier to understand why people who
sympathize with the FSF position would call The Big Fruit a terrorist
organization.  They're worried that Apple and companies like it could create
a climate of fear in the software industry that would stifle progress in
general.  After all, how many organizations can afford to duke it out with
Apple in the courts, win or lose?  That's an easily overlooked flaw in our
legal system, which tends to somewhat deflate the honor in pursuing one's
"legally entitled" interests.

	Donn Cave, University Computing Services, University of Washington
	donn@cac.washington.edu