Messages in this thread | | | From | Marc Boucher <> | Subject | Re: [PATCH] Blacklist binary-only modules lying about their license | Date | Fri, 30 Apr 2004 12:10:16 -0400 |
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Chris,
people should, before insulting us publicly or make unsubstantiated claims that we "lie" or engage in "illegal" actions, perhaps consult a lawyer, and simultaneously use the opportunity to enquire about the meaning of "slander".
I repeat, the \0 is purely a technical workaround, done without any mischievous intent. Parts of the modules are indeed GPL, and the linked in binary-only modem code isn't. We didn't try to hide anything since the code containing the workaround is open-source, and we even explained back in February the purpose of this workaround on the public hsflinux mailing list, while suggesting that a patch should be sent to effectively take care of the problem. I even apologized to Rusty for not sending that patch ourselves.
Cordially Marc
On Apr 30, 2004, at 11:43 AM, Chris Friesen wrote:
> Tigran Aivazian wrote: >> On Fri, 30 Apr 2004, Jeff Garzik wrote: >>> DriverLoader significantly lowers that cost, while not providing an >>> open source solution at all. >> Ah, I see.... that makes a HUGE difference. Now I understand what the >> fuss >> is all about. So, that is why everyone jumped on Marc Boucher's throat >> trying to annihilate, humiliate, frighten by unsubstantiated >> allegations >> and generally grind him into tiny specks of dust, at the same time >> falsely >> pretending that all the fuss was only about that silly '\0' byte they >> left in their license string (I wish they knew better not to do that >> --- there are millions of ways to achieve what they want). > > Your statement is unsubstantiated. Many companies try to work around > the GPL, or walk very close (and often over) the fine line of > compliance. They want to get something for nothing, because that's > what companies are there for--to make money. There aren't very many > altruistic for-profit companies. > > Personally, what sticks in my craw is the fact that this company did > something wrong, and then tried to defend its actions by claiming that > it was to make it easier for the customer. That excuse doesn't > wash--what they did was *illegal*. The fact that it also makes it > harder to get open-source drivers is a side effect for me. > > Chris > > >
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