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

Marc Boucher
2004-04-30T16:11:50Z

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
>
>
>