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From: Frank Rowand <frowand.list-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org>
To: Warner Losh <imp-uzTCJ5RojNnQT0dZR+AlfA@public.gmane.org>,
	"devicetree-spec-u79uwXL29TY76Z2rM5mHXA@public.gmane.org"
	<devicetree-spec-u79uwXL29TY76Z2rM5mHXA@public.gmane.org>
Subject: DTS license for non-linux use
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 15:00:41 -0700	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <573CE609.2030007@gmail.com> (raw)

Warner Losh asked a question about the use of cpp #include in dts
source files, and while the topic of license of existing devicetree
source files in the linux source tree has a bearing on the question,
he adeptly tried to avoid stirring up a hornet's nest.  Instead of
sidetracking his thread with license issues, this is a new thread
with my license question.

I'm sure I'll regret asking this, but what the heck.

The result of compiling a devicetree source file (.dts and .dtsi)
generates a .dtb file aka devicetree blob aka flattened device
tree (FDT).  The FDT is a binary and ascii data structure that
contains no code.  If the devicetree source file(s) license is
gpl, then it seems to me that the license of the blob is also
gpl.

If an operating system kernel "reads" an FDT, would that somehow
be a license, copyright, or other issue if the kernel was not also
gpl licensed?

My naive, "I'm not a lawyer", view is that there would not be
an issue, but my third hand impression is that the BSDs are
concerned that there may be an issue.

Are there any good authoritative sources that have addressed
this issue or a similar issue?

-Frank

             reply	other threads:[~2016-05-18 22:00 UTC|newest]

Thread overview: 2+ messages / expand[flat|nested]  mbox.gz  Atom feed  top
2016-05-18 22:00 Frank Rowand [this message]
     [not found] ` <573CE609.2030007-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org>
2016-05-18 22:31   ` DTS license for non-linux use Warner Losh

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