Anytype E2EE Notebook

The part where you are forbidden from sublicensing your work, which is the entire point of open-source licenses like GPL.

These terms do not allow Licensee to sublicense or transfer any of Licensee’s rights to anyone else.

Any “forks” of the software made are hamstrung by the fact that you will only ever own the changes. The underlying code will still be owned by AnyType.

If Licensee makes available a copy of the Software to any third party, the Software must be subject to the terms of this license only, and Licensee must provide a copy of this license to that third party. If Licensee makes changes or additions to the Software, Licensee may license those changes or additions under terms of your choice, but Licensee cannot change the license for the Software.

When we’re talking about Skiff story, we must put the context into consideration. When Skiff sunset their services, their users were doom, since there’s no way to use any part of the services further. If this happens to Anytype, nothing will happen, like every other abandoned FOSS software out there. People would migrate to a new app whenever it’s available. Otherwise, there are paid options available regardless of Anytype.

The harm wrought isn’t just to the users, but also to PG’s reputation. Getting people to switch to more private apps is already difficult enough. Having to tell them that you were wrong and you should use something else instead is liable to make them stop listening altogether.

People would migrate to a new app whenever it’s available.

Most of the time, people aren’t liable to just “switch apps”, especially for a service like AnyType that facilitates constructing systems in your notes.

Unlike markdown, that’s not something easily transferable. And if forced to do it, that might also build resentment, worsening the aforementioned reputation loss.

But VCs do add external pressure for ROI. That’s part of how they work.

We’re not suggesting PG blacklist Anytype forever, but until we know how they plan on earning money, then PG should hold off on recommending them.

We can’t eliminate risk entirely, but there’s also nothing to be gained from PG listing them early.

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