AltGr modifier key triggers "blur" event

[Andreas E.]

While typing a text in an input field, every use of the AltGr modifier (ie. AltGr+Q = @ on German layout) triggers a "blur" event on the input field and the whole document.
This can lead to issues with websites, since the user actually didn't leave the input and is continuously typing.

Testcase: Enter in the interactive console:
document.addEventListener("focus", function(){ console.log("focus "+new Date().getMilliseconds()) })
document.addEventListener("blur", function(){ console.log("blur "+new Date().getMilliseconds()) })
document.addEventListener("keydown", function(){ console.log("keydown "+new Date().getMilliseconds()) })

For a normal key (like Q) I only get the keydown event.

When hitting the AltGr key, I get this:
"blur 358"
"focus 363"
"keydown 369"

This happens also for the Super and Alt keys. But while the Alt key doesn't work as modifier (Alt+Q does not give @), the AltGr key does not work for operating system shortcuts. Its use is purely as keyboard modifier.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: firefox 28.0~b2+build1-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-17.37-generic 3.13.6
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-17-generic x86_64
AddonCompatCheckDisabled: False
ApportVersion: 2.13.3-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
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 /dev/snd/controlC0: andreas 2431 F.... pulseaudio
BuildID: 20140226081007
Channel: Unavailable
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Sat Mar 15 08:46:14 2014
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
ForcedLayersAccel: False
IfupdownConfig:
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InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-02-02 (40 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-GNOME 14.04 "Trusty Tahr" - Alpha amd64 (20140201)
IpRoute:
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MostRecentCrashID: bp-09f2e31c-4075-486b-a99d-c6b752140203
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PrefSources:
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Profiles: Profile0 (Default) - LastVersion=28.0/20140226081007 (In use)
RelatedPackageVersions:
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RunningIncompatibleAddons: True
SourcePackage: firefox
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 10/31/2013
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: 76CN31WW
dmi.board.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Yoga2
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
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dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr76CN31WW:bd10/31/2013:svnLENOVO:pn20266:pvrLenovoYoga2Pro:rvnLENOVO:rnYoga2:rvr31900058STD:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrLenovoYoga2Pro:
dmi.product.name: 20266
dmi.product.version: Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[[mrs_sheep] (mrs-sheep)]

For me the issue is not-related to Firefox, it occurse in all programs.
Can you try if it has the same effect for you in system programs? [E.g. while renaming a file in Nautilus.]

[Andreas E. (andreas-e)]

It probably happens to all programs. I get the same events in other browsers like Chromium.
I don't know how I could see which events trigger in Nautilus.

[Phlegx (register-phlegx)]

Sorry for the status change!

1) Nautilus: I have try out to make a folder and name it "abc@abc". All works fine in Nautilus.
2) Chromium: All works fine!
3) Firefox (34.0): If I type in "@abc" in the input field (string starting with @) all works fine and the blur event was not fired. If I type in "abc@" the blur event was fired on hit key ALT-GR.

[GTPlugins (gtplugins)]

I got the same issue on firefox 41.0.1. This problem only happens when Canonical Firefox Ubuntu modifications addon is active. So I believe the bug is in the addon.

[Ivan Helguera (gokmar)]

I can confirm the issue is still present and it stems from the Canonical Firefox Ubuntu modifications addon.
This is very serious for Polish users, as AltGr is used to obtain special characters. The default browser is basically unusable for chats, text editing etc.