Here’s why:
- Open and Accessible AI: The primary motivation is to democratize AI and make it widely accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources or expertise. RENTAHAL’s browser-based, speech-enabled MTOR enables access on low-cost devices without installation or specialized hardware, making it transformative for fields like education, healthcare, and small businesses in resource-constrained regions.
- Preventing Tivoization and Ensuring User Freedom: GPLv3 includes specific provisions against “tivoization”, a practice where hardware restricts users from installing their own modified software on devices that contain GPL-licensed code. By choosing GPLv3, N2NHU Labs aims to ensure that users have the freedom to modify and reinstall the software on their devices and that their ability to exercise these freedoms isn’t restricted by the underlying hardware.
- Fostering Collaboration and Community Contributions: Open-source licensing, particularly a strong copyleft license like GPLv3, encourages collaborative development and community contributions by ensuring that any derivative works also remain open and available to everyone. This aligns with N2NHU Labs’ vision of creating a collaborative, open network where everyone can contribute and benefit from advancements in AI.
- Protecting Users from Patent Litigation: GPLv3 strengthens the license’s stance on patents, including a provision that prevents distributors of GPL-licensed software from suing users for patent infringement. This provides users with more protection when using or distributing the software.
In essence, N2NHU Labs’ choice of GPLv3 reflects a commitment to a future where AI serves people, not corporations, by prioritizing accessibility, user freedom, collaborative development, and protection against restrictive practices.