On Sun, Nov 9, 2008 at 8:33 PM, Sam Morris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Here's an interesting problem with DFSG-free firmware such as those > created by the FreeMAC project (for prism54 cards): if they never get FCC- > certified, is it legal for Debian to distribute them? That would be something for a lawyer to answer (such as SPI counsel). > They seem to fall into the category of DFSG-free-but-illegal software > such as dvdcss or the patented software that we refuse to distribute. > So unless the project bends a little here, users are never going to get > working hardware no matter what happens. I doubt it would be a good idea for the ftpmasters to expose themselves and Debian/SPI to legal risk by allowing distribution of illegal software. Solutions to these problems might include; Moving ftp-master to sealand (or similar) and implementing a system to prevent the mirrors from distributing packages illegal in their jurisdictions; this is unlikely to happen any time soon and would probably be prohibitively impractical. A separate ftp-master and mirror system for such packages; already implemented as debian-multimedia.org and debian-unofficial.org) Fix the jurisdictions to be more sane; this is something to work on outside of Debian. -- bye, pabs http://wiki.debian.org/PaulWise -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
