[U-Boot] U-book and GPLv3? (fwd)

Haavard Skinnemoen
2009-07-07T15:18:04Z

Wolfgang Denk wrote:
> I'm only talking about software (code and data) here. If I cannot
> change (or just rebuild) the (Free!) software any more because to
> actually run it I need some secret data (like a signature) then this
> is still a software problem. One that can be prevented by releasing
> the software under adequate licensing terms.

The mechanism preventing reprogramming of the target device is not part
of the software being licensed. So I just don't think it's reasonable
for us to prevent the software from being used on such devices, even
though I don't particularly like such restrictions either.

This assuming GPLv3 actually does prevent such problems, of course.
There seems to be a few loopholes in there, as others have pointed out
(though I won't claim to fully understand it, which is another reason
I'm not particularly fond of it.)

> Agreed. Hardware should be hackable, too :-) (which includes
> documentation where you don't have to sell your soul and sign NDAs
> that are plain evil).

Absolutely.

Haavard