Dear Haavard, In message <20090707155005.2e4a4...@hskinnemoen-d830> you wrote: > > > The point is that GPLv2 results in situations where you cannot use > > and modify your own software any more because it is "protected" and > > any versions you build don't run. > > But this is a problem with the _hardware_, not the software. I think > placing restrictions on the hardware design is way outside the scope of > a software license.
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. > In my experience, the most popular AVR-based boards are the ones that > not only allow the firmware to be replaced freely, but which actively > encourage modification by making lots of signals available through > expansion headers. This kind of "hackability" can never be enforced > through any kind of software license. 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). Best regards, Wolfgang Denk -- DENX Software Engineering GmbH, MD: Wolfgang Denk & Detlev Zundel HRB 165235 Munich, Office: Kirchenstr.5, D-82194 Groebenzell, Germany Phone: (+49)-8142-66989-10 Fax: (+49)-8142-66989-80 Email: w...@denx.de ######## This message was made from 100% recycled electrons. ######## _______________________________________________ U-Boot mailing list U-Boot@lists.denx.de http://lists.denx.de/mailman/listinfo/u-boot
