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Re: How long is it acceptable to leave *undistributable* files in the kernel package?



Thiemo Seufer <ica2_ts@csv.ica.uni-stuttgart.de> writes:
> The firmware typically wasn't patched, and nothing is derived from it.

Isn't the kernel containing the firmware derivative of it?  If not,
why can't I put some GPL-incompatible x86 code into the kernel, load
it into a device in my system -- the main memory -- and then issue a
command to the processor to execute it?

That is, doesn't your interpretation allow arbitrary linking of GPL'd
programs?

I would be much more convinced if I saw an argument from the
GPL-incompatible-firmware-is-OK side as to why the GPL prohibits
distributing linkages of GPL'd and GPL-incompatible code.

-Brian

-- 
Brian Sniffen                                       bts@alum.mit.edu



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