[PLUG] Firmware, tainted code etc [was Re: [X-Post] [ilugd] linux-libre kernel. fork?]

[श्रीधर नारायण दैठणकर]

Hi,

This topic has numerous aspects e.g. an open firmware allows to boost powers 
of wireless signals which violates FCC mandates and can cause problems. Other 
than burrying it in binary blob(worse than a hex dump), there is no other 
effective measure.

More importantly, tainted kernels are illegal and that is an accepted fact. 
Just that kernel developers don't go after every tainted kernel, does not 
make them any less legal.

Furthermore the link cited, http://jebba.blagblagblag.org/?p=244, shows hex 
dump of firmware which is perfectly fine I think. The values are out there 
for anybody to use there and an open source driver illustrates how to use 
them too. How it is not open source, is beyond me.

The kernel is GPLed, but the firmware may not be.

Shridhar