Re: [PATCH] USB: mark USB drivers as being GPL only

David Newall
2008-02-05T23:25:49Z

Diego Zuccato writes:
> David Newall ha scritto:
>> This does, of course,
>> disadvantage Linux with respect to many classes of devices, for example
>> GSM transceivers when used in those parts of the world^ where regulatory
>> requirements prohibit modification of power or frequency settings, which
>> effectively prohibits open-source driver.
>
> Why "of course" ?

"Of course", because in many parts of the world, a device who's manufacturer
fails to take reasonable steps to prevent it from being used outside
regulatory limits is illegal. Providing source code not only is a failure
to take those reasonable steps, but is quite the opposite. It may even be
viewed as encouraging users to use it inappropriately.