linux kernel contains GPL violations
Affects | Status | Importance | Assigned to | Milestone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
linux (Ubuntu) |
Expired
|
Undecided
|
Unassigned |
Bug Description
The linux kernel is currently licensed under the GPL, but contains binary blobs and source incompatible with the GPL. Here is a sample list[1] of some of the affected source.
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* drivers/
* firmware/
* firmware/
* firmware/
* firmware/
* firmware/
* firmware/
* sound/pci/
* sound/pci/
Some options:
(1) Strip all non-free code out and distribute only that package
(2) Strip all non-free code out and distribute that as an additional alternative package
(3) Change the licensing of the kernel package to reflect this and move it to either Restricted or Multiverse.
For more information, please see this:
http://
References:
[1] http://
---
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.21.
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
/dev/snd/
/dev/snd/pcmC0D1p: kip 1787 F...m pulseaudio
CRDA: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory
Card0.Amixer.info:
Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xf4600000 irq 22'
Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC662 rev1'
Components : 'HDA:10ec0662,
Controls : 24
Simple ctrls : 14
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
HibernationDevice: RESUME=
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS "Lucid Lynx" - Release amd64 (20100427.1)
MachineType: System76, Inc. Serval Professional
NonfreeKernelMo
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=
ProcEnviron:
PATH=(custom, user)
LANG=en_CA.UTF-8
SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSign
Regression: No
RelatedPackageV
Reproducible: Yes
RfKill:
0: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
Tags: lucid needs-upstream-
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-22-generic x86_64
UserGroups: adm admin cdrom dialout lpadmin plugdev sambashare
dmi.bios.date: 05/13/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
dmi.bios.version: 1.02.16S
dmi.board.
dmi.board.name: Serval Professional
dmi.board.vendor: System76, Inc.
dmi.board.version: serp5
dmi.chassis.
dmi.chassis.type: 9
dmi.chassis.vendor: No Enclosure
dmi.chassis.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenixT
dmi.product.name: Serval Professional
dmi.product.
dmi.sys.vendor: System76, Inc.
It appears, and I could be wrong, that Debian seems to group ALL binary blobs into a firmware-nonfree package.
On the other hand, gNewSense does away with binary blobs altogether. This often renders certain hardware unusable at first go, which is one of the hallmarks of Ubuntu.
By following one of the suggestions above, or another along the same vein, Ubuntu can continue providing its excellent first-run hardware support while keeping its philosophies intact. Users can have a choice whether to install firmware-nonfree and other packages contain binary blobs. I'd even go as far as suggesting that this be an installer option in all versions of the Ubuntu installer.