Re: RFC: Final version of kernel team's firmware GR proposal, coined to be consensual to all those of good faith involved in the current discussion.
Sven Luther <sven.luther@wanadoo.fr> wrote:
> ========================== START OF PROPOSAL ==========================
> Definition: For the purpose of this resolution, the "firmware" mentioned below
> design binary data encoded as hexdumps in some of the linux kernel drivers and
s/design/&ates/ ; s/encoded as hexdumps/included/
> whose purpose is to be loaded into a given piece of hardware, and be run
> outside the main memory space of the main processor(s).
>
> 1. We affirm that our Priorities are our users and the free software
> community (Social Contract #4);
no-op! Please delete.
> 2. We acknowledge that there is a lot of progress in the kernel firmware
> issue, both upstream and in the debian packaging; however, it is not
> yet finally sorted out;
no-op! Please delete.
> 3. We give priority to the timely release of Etch over sorting every bit out;
> for this reason, we will treat removal of problematic firmware as a
> best-effort process.
OK.
> 4. We allow inclusion of such firmware into Debian Etch, even if their license
> does not normally allow modification, as long as we are legally allowed to
> distribute them.
Where 'such' = 'problematic' and apparently not limited to those *in* the
upstream kernel. I think it should be limited to the upstream kernel.
> 5. We further note that some of these firmware do not have individual license,
> and thus implicitly fall under the generic linux kernel GPL license.
Unless we know that its copyright holder is a Linux copyright holder,
I can't see how its licensing is thus implied just by being there.
> We will include these firmware in Debian Etch and review them after the
> release. Vendors of such firmware are advised to investigate the licensing
> terms, and make sure the GPL distribution conditions are respected,
> especially with regards to source availability.
Aieeee. Do we really want to say 'advised'? s/are advised/may wish/
> 6. We will include those firmware into the debian linux kernel package as well
> as the installer components (.udebs) used by the debian-installer.
> ========================== END OF PROPOSAL ==========================
Hope that helps,
--
MJR/slef
My Opinion Only: see http://people.debian.org/~mjr/
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