[Date Prev][Date Next] [Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: [PROPOSAL] Final consensual proposal for the problematic firmware issue in the linux kernel sources.



I second the proposal below.  It explicitly takes effect only for Etch,
and it will allow installation on machines requiring tg3 net drivers (of
which I have one).

I believe this is the fourth second, so it only needs one more?

Sven Luther wrote:

>  === START OF PROPOSAL ===
> Definition: For the purpose of this resolution, the "firmware" mentioned below
> designates binary data included in some of the linux kernel drivers, usually as
> hex-encoded variables and 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);
> 
>   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.
> 
>   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, and in no case add additional problematic material
>      to the upstream released kernel tarball.
> 
>   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.
> 
>   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.
>      We will include these firmware in Debian Etch and review them after the
>      release. Vendors of such firmware may wish to investigate the licensing
>      terms, and make sure the GPL distribution conditions are respected,
>      especially with regards to source availability.
> 
>   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 ====

-- 
Kevin B. McCarty <kmccarty@princeton.edu>   Physics Department
WWW: http://www.princeton.edu/~kmccarty/    Princeton University
GPG: public key ID 4F83C751                 Princeton, NJ 08544

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: OpenPGP digital signature


Reply to: