Re: Bug#239952: kernel-source-2.6.4: qla2xxx contains non-free firmware
Hamish Moffatt wrote:
>Perhaps we need a set of complete kernel packages in non-free then.
The problem is that the GPL requires us to be able to provide the
preferred form for modifications for the entirity of the code.
Realistically, there's no way that the majority of this firmware is the
preferred form for modification. As a consequence, unless we receive an
exemption from every copyright holder in the kernel, we have no legal
right to distribute kernel images with this firmware linked in. What we
can do is provide the firmware separately (non-free is the only
practical place at the moment, but pragmatically an independent section
for firmware would make more sense) and load it from userspace.
--
Matthew Garrett | mjg59-chiark.mail.debian.devel@srcf.ucam.org
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