> I would have thought, e.g., that apps distributed only through stores to platforms that require apps to be signed could not contain LGPL components, since you would not be able to modify the LGPL components. (Maybe it would be OK if the software was available for download freely and side loading wasn't too difficult??? IDK.)
IIRC, That's a difference between LGPLv2 and LGPLv3 - LGPLv3 has the same anti-tivoization clauses that GPLv3 has - while LGPLv2 does not. So afaict, it's totally OK to distribute software in ways that does not allow the user to modify the library when that library is licensed LGPLv2.
VLC is licensed under LGPLv2.1, which is not subject to the tivoization clause.
> So afaict, it's totally OK to distribute software in ways that does not allow the user to modify the library when that library is licensed LGPLv2.
Legally that might be true, but that interpretation stands directly opposed to the intention of the license. In that light, it is unambiguously unethical to use that loophole.
Many, many people license under gpl2 only to avoid that tivoization clause. So unless there’s a clear indication on the library’s author wishes wrt tivoization, I don’t think it’s fair to make any ethical assumptions here.
IIRC, That's a difference between LGPLv2 and LGPLv3 - LGPLv3 has the same anti-tivoization clauses that GPLv3 has - while LGPLv2 does not. So afaict, it's totally OK to distribute software in ways that does not allow the user to modify the library when that library is licensed LGPLv2.
VLC is licensed under LGPLv2.1, which is not subject to the tivoization clause.