Re: [PATCH] Blacklist binary-only modules lying about their license

[Marc Boucher]

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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