Re: linux-arm-kernel useless for development (was Re: Your message to Linux-arm-kernel awaits moderator approval)

[David John <davidjon@xenontk.org>]

On 08/06/2009 06:10 PM, Russell King wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 06, 2009 at 05:59:01PM +0530, David John wrote:
>> I think the basis of Pavel's complaint is that the ARM mailing list is
>> difficult to work with for casual users who might want to forward say,
>> a simple bug report.
>>
>> If data protection laws prevent you from keeping an open list, can't you
>> host the list at kernel.org or elsewhere?
> 
> If only it were as simple as that.
> 
> Basically, to properly resolve this I need a *UK* solicitor who is
> well versed in data protection issues to advise.  Given that this
> is purely voluntary, I'm not willing to spend vast sums of money in
> the legal domain to sort this issue out.
> 
> Neither am I willing to take a chance.
> 
> And no, moving the list outside the EU domain doesn't relieve any
> of the lawful issues unless (as I understand the law) someone outside
> the EU were to run the list.  And people would have to independently
> subscribe to it - I wouldn't be able to export the existing subscriber
> list outside the EU.
> 
> Now, people here can tell me I'm wrong, but they aren't in the legal
> profession...  Would you get a gardener to fix your gas boiler, or
> would you get a qualified and registered gas engineer in?
> 

I understand the issues you mentioned but IANAL so I can't comment. I'm really
surprised that Linux development for ARM isn't sponsored and that you would have
to pay from your own pocket to get legal advice. Surely at least the Linux Foundation
would be able to help?

If kernel development and the developers for ARM were sponsored (like x86 which has 
the mighty weight of Intel behind it), I'm sure simple logistical problems like this 
can be resolved and development can happen at a much faster pace. Although I agree
there isn't much _you_ can do about this personally.

Regards,
David.