Sony BDP-S280 - Manual (Page 40)

them, although the manufacturer can do so. This is
fundamentally incompatible with the aim of protecting
users' freedom to change the software. The systematic
pattern of such abuse occurs in the area of products for
individuals to use, which is precisely where it is most
unacceptable. Therefore, we have designed this version
of the GPL to prohibit the practice for those products.
If such problems arise substantially in other domains,
we stand ready to extend this provision to those
domains in future versions of the GPL, as needed to
protect the freedom of users.
Finally, every program is threatened constantly by
software patents. States should not allow patents to
restrict development and use of software on generalpurpose
computers, but in those that do, we wish to
avoid the special danger that patents applied to a free
program could make it effectively proprietary. To
prevent this, the GPL assures that patents cannot be
used to render the program non-free.
The precise terms and conditions for copying,
distribution and modification follow.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
0. Definitions.
"This License" refers to version 3 of the GNU General
Public License.
"Copyright" also means copyright-like laws that apply
to other kinds of works, such as semiconductor masks.
"The Program" refers to any copyrightable work
licensed under this License. Each licensee is addressed
as "you". "Licensees" and "recipients" may be
individuals or organizations.
To "modify" a work means to copy from or adapt all or
part of the work in a fashion requiring copyright
permission, other than the making of an exact copy.
The resulting work is called a "modified version" of the
earlier work or a work "based on" the earlier work.
A "covered work" means either the unmodified
Program or a work based on the Program.
To "propagate" a work means to do anything with it
that, without permission, would make you directly or
secondarily liable for infringement under applicable
copyright law, except executing it on a computer or
modifying a private copy. Propagation includes
copying, distribution (with or without modification),
making available to the public, and in some countries