Re: non-free firmware in kernel modules, aggregation and unclearcopyright notice.

[Humberto Massa]

Adrian Bunk wrote:

> Debian doesn't seem to care much about the possible legal problems of 
> patents.
>  
The possible legal problem of software patents is, up to the present 
time, AFAICT, not producing effects yet in Europe, and is a non-problem 
in jurisdictions like mine (down here neither business methods nor 
software are patentable).

> The firmware issues are an urgent real problem?
>  
OTOH, the firmware issues *is* a legal real problem (copyright 
infringement is even a criminal offense in a lot of juristictions -- 
down here, 6 months to 2 years of soft jail + fine for non-commercial 
and 2 to 4 years of hard-jail + fine for commercial intents).

> Debian should define how much legal risk they are willing to impose on 
> their mirrors and distributors and should act accordingly in all areas.
>  
You are right, but as I told you, the mirrors are really worse when 
there is a chance of copyrights infringement than of patents 
infringement -- even on those jurisdictions that *have* software 
patents, things are more difficult to prosecute in the patent field.

> But ignoring some areas while being more religious than RMS in other 
> areas is simply silly.
>  
Conceded. You are right on this.


HTH,
Massa


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