2.6.24 contains non-free fore200e files

[KarlGoetz]

Package: "linux" (source package)
Version: 2.6.24-* (Hardy kernel)

Someone has pointed out [1][2] that the fore200e files may not be free software [3]. The problematic clause is this:

 Copyright (c) 1995-2000 FORE Systems, Inc., as an unpublished work. This
notice does not imply unrestricted or public access to these materials which
are a trade secret of FORE Systems, Inc. or its subsidiaries or affiliates
(together referred to as "FORE"), and which may not be reproduced, used, sold
or transferred to any third party without FORE's prior written consent. All
rights reserved.

This would make it unsuitable for distribution in ubuntu (even in the restricted sections) as it doesn't allow distribution.

[1] http://bugs.gnewsense.org/Bugs/00135
[2] http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-users/2008-03/msg00055.html
[3] ./linux-2.6.24/drivers/atm/fore200e_firmware_copyright

[Colin Watson (cjwatson)]

http://lkml.org/lkml/2000/2/23/239

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

Thanks for the link - having read the 3 emails there, i'd still say its non-free (at least for the purposes of main).

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

This email seems to confirm the firmware is non-free.
kk

http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnewsense-users/2008-03/msg00154.html

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

I'm un-subscribing personally, and hoping the team subscription is enough to keep receiving messages.

[Tim Gardner (timg-tpi)]

I agree with David Miller: http://lkml.org/lkml/2000/2/23/219

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

On Mon, 2008-04-07 at 14:18 +0000, Tim Gardner wrote:
> I agree with David Miller: http://lkml.org/lkml/2000/2/23/219

Not sure what your agreeing with -
That sourceless microcode is ok if its GPL?

>
> ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
> Status: Triaged => Invalid
>

[Brian Kemp (brian-kemp)]

We know it's not the preferred form for editing the work. It's too bad
that the copyright holder seems to think so.

On Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 6:28 PM, KarlGoetz <email address hidden> wrote:
> On Mon, 2008-04-07 at 14:18 +0000, Tim Gardner wrote:
> > I agree with David Miller: http://lkml.org/lkml/2000/2/23/219
>
> Not sure what your agreeing with -
> That sourceless microcode is ok if its GPL?
>
> >
> > ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
> > Status: Triaged => Invalid
> >
>
>
> ** Attachment added: "unnamed"
> http://launchpadlibrarian.net/13186404/unnamed
>
> --
> 2.6.24 contains non-free fore200e files
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/201680
> You received this bug notification because you are a member of
> gNewSense, which is a direct subscriber.
>

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

On Tue, 2008-04-08 at 02:45 +0000, Brian Kemp wrote:
> We know it's not the preferred form for editing the work. It's too bad
> that the copyright holder seems to think so.
>

if its not the prefered form its not free - especially since we are told
there *is* source code that we are not being given access too.
kk

> On Mon, Apr 7, 2008 at 6:28 PM, KarlGoetz <email address hidden> wrote:
> > On Mon, 2008-04-07 at 14:18 +0000, Tim Gardner wrote:
> > > I agree with David Miller: http://lkml.org/lkml/2000/2/23/219
> >
> > Not sure what your agreeing with -
> > That sourceless microcode is ok if its GPL?
> >
> > >
> > > ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
> > > Status: Triaged => Invalid
> > >
> >

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

Sorry to reopen, but i think this needs another look.

[Leann Ogasawara (leannogasawara)]

Hi Karl,

Tim, who is a member of our Ubuntu kernel team, has already reviewed this bug and closed it as he agrees with the comments and decisions that were made upstream. I'm therefore closing this again as Tim originally did. Thanks.

[KarlGoetz (kgoetz)]

On Mon, 2008-05-05 at 15:23 +0000, Leann Ogasawara wrote:
> Hi Karl,
>
> Tim, who is a member of our Ubuntu kernel team, has already reviewed
> this bug and closed it as he agrees with the comments and decisions that
> were made upstream. I'm therefore closing this again as Tim originally
> did. Thanks.

I still think this is wrong, but i'll leave this state as is.
kk

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Per a decision made by the Ubuntu Kernel Team, bugs will longer be assigned to the ubuntu-kernel-team in Launchpad as part of the bug triage process. The ubuntu-kernel-team is being unassigned from this bug report. Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeamBugPolicies for more information. Thanks.