linux-kernel - Re: GPL only modules [was Re: [GIT PATCH] more Driver core patches for 2.6.19]

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Message-ID: <20061214153949.GA3388@stusta.de>
Date:	Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:39:49 +0100
From:	Adrian Bunk <bunk@...sta.de>
To:	James Morris <jmorris@...ei.org>
Cc:	"Martin J. Bligh" <mbligh@...igh.org>,
	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...l.org>, Greg KH <gregkh@...e.de>,
	Jonathan Corbet <corbet@....net>,
	Andrew Morton <akpm@...l.org>,
	"Michael K. Edwards" <medwards.linux@...il.com>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: GPL only modules [was Re: [GIT PATCH] more Driver core patches for 2.6.19]

On Thu, Dec 14, 2006 at 03:03:10AM -0500, James Morris wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Dec 2006, Martin J. Bligh wrote:
> 
> > The point of banning binary drivers would be to leverage hardware
> > companies into either releasing open source drivers, or the specs for
> > someone else to write them.
> 
> IMHO, it's up to the users to decide if they want to keep buying hardware 
> which leads to inferior support, less reliability, decreased security and 
> all of the other ills associated with binary drivers.  Let them also 
> choose distributions which enact the binary driver policies they agree 
> with.
>...


Unfortunately, we are living in an economic system with the strong 
tendency to create oligopolys.

Situations with only 1-3 manufacturers you can choose from are quite 
common (consider e.g. the 3D graphics market).

If you aren't a big company with big market power but a simple costumer 
who needs such hardware you have zero choice if all manufactorers only 
offer binary-only drivers at best.


And there's also the common misconception all costumers had enough 
information when buying something. If you are a normal Linux user and 
buy some hardware labelled "runs under Linux", it could turn out that's 
with a Windows driver running under ndiswrapper...


> - James

cu
Adrian

-- 

       "Is there not promise of rain?" Ling Tan asked suddenly out
        of the darkness. There had been need of rain for many days.
       "Only a promise," Lao Er said.
                                       Pearl S. Buck - Dragon Seed

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