[linux-dvb] Re: [vdr] Re: Re: Bad news (summary)

[<mocm@convergence.de>]

I am also posting this to the list, because some people may be
interested.

Andres Torrubia writes:
 > Marcus, Ralph,
 > 
 > > Andres Torrubia writes:
 > >  > Using a module by invoking a documented, externally exposed
 > > interface is one
 > >  > thing (such as command-line), but using it in such a way that
 > > you _need_ to
 > >  > know how it internally works is different.  Do you know of any
 > > GPL'd program
 > >  > that is distributed (and intertwined) WITH a binary for which
 > > you cannot get
 > >  > the sources under the same terms as the GPL?
 > >  >
 > >
 > > Hmm, how about the dxr2 driver, the dxr3 driver or any drivers for a
 > > card that has a firmware. Not to mention the kfir drivers.
 > 
 > I am not an expert, do these drivers distribute the firmware in binary form?

They all require parts of the windows driver, i.e. the firmware  which
have to be downloaded separately, or come with the card.

 > 
 > > Hell, the BIOS of your computer is not GPL (well it could be, but I
 > > guess it's not) and you use a GPL program.
 > 
 > Such GPL program is not distributing the bios binaries, AFAIK.
 > 

The firmware is not part of the GPL licensed programs. And if you look
carefully not all the files in the distribution are GPL, some are
LGPL. 

 > > Would you feel better, if we distributed the firmware separately?
 > 
 > This is not the point.  If I was a contributor, I would like to make sure
 > that what I am contributing to is GPL compliant.

The point is that the GPL covers the source code of the driver, but
not any other files. Each file has its own license (I hope we didn't
miss one).
The firmware is in a sense part of the hardware.
We have permission by Fujitsu-Siemens to distribute and change the
firmware. Maybe we should put the firmware under some kind of license.
The danger is that if you ask for a license, you might get one that
you don't like.

Marcus



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