On Sun, Nov 09, 2008 at 09:25:18AM +0100, Michelle Konzack wrote: > So the only option for "Ben" ist, to send the corrected source back to > the manufacturer and ask him to test and relicense it... > > The problem is, that certifying cost up to 40.000 Euro and re-certifying > arround 10-15.000 Euro. So after ONE bugfix, no manufacturer would > recertify the software. IF the hardware is not sold at least 50-100.000 > times where arround 30-80¢ are calculated for software updates over the > first 2 years after first hardware sell.
IANAL, IANADDY. And what if "Ben" himself or another party, let's say, "Cascardo", wants to pay that to recertify the original hardware + fixed software or a new designed hardware or even an existing but different hardware with the fixed software? As pointed out in another thread, would it really be illegal to distribute said software if Debian does not distribute the hardware it would run on? No one said it is illegal (and I am not pointing it out that it is legal). But I wouldn't deny that freedom for software that runs on my cell phone, my wireless network card, my video card has the same benefits that software that runs on my computer laptop, computer desktop or computer server. What makes them so different, anyway? If that's because it could hurt people, that's why we have laws and certification process. Nothing is currently preventing somebody to use Debian on an airplane, a medical facility or whatever. That's why DFSG#6 exists. So, if the copyright license of said "firmware" is DFSG-compliant and it is legal to distribute it in wherever jurisdiction ftpmaster is working, I can't see a problem in distributing it, even if it was "worthless" for "most" people (which I don't think it would be). > 2 years is the normal European Waranty for NEW bought hardware. > > This is WHY most cell-phones get not a singel software update (no mather > which manufacturer as Nokia, Ericsson, Sony, Siemans/BenQ, LG, ...) > > Thanks, Greetings and nice Day/Evening > Michelle Konzack Regards, Cascardo.
signature.asc
Description: Digital signature
