Are BLOBs source code?

[Bruce Perens <bruce@perens.com>]

Goswin von Brederlow wrote:

> Your opinion (and I would generaly agree there) would be that the
> pseudo source files released are not source as per GPLs definition
>  
A lot of these BLOBs have been identified as ARM7 code, and generally 
"thumb" (the 8-bit ARM instructions). They come from C or assembly 
language, I bet mostly C. Various people have been able to identify the 
processor that is used, just by comparing the code to well-known 
instruction sets. If they wanted to take the trouble to encrypt the 
BLOB, they'd put FLASH on the card.

> If it is not [source] it can't be in non-free due to license violation.
>  
That's why I say the BLOB should be in a file rather than the driver. 
Have the driver send the file to the device. It's I/O rather than part 
of the driver. Then, you can consider the license issues of the BLOB 
individually from any other code.

   Thanks

   Bruce

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