[U-Boot] U-book and GPLv3? (fwd)

[Jon Smirl]

On Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 10:43 AM, Wolfgang Denk<wd at denx.de> wrote:
> Dear Haavard,
>
> In message <20090707155005.2e4a4d6d at hskinnemoen-d830> you wrote:
>>
>> > The point is that GPLv2 results in situations where  you  cannot  use
>> > and modify your own software any more because it is "protected" and
>> > any versions you build don't run.
>>
>> But this is a problem with the _hardware_, not the software. I think
>> placing restrictions on the hardware design is way outside the scope of
>> a software license.
>
> I'm only talking about software (code and data)  here.  If  I  cannot
> change  (or  just  rebuild)  the (Free!) software any more because to
> actually run it I need some secret data (like a signature) then  this
> is  still  a software problem. One that can be prevented by releasing
> the software under adequate licensing terms.
>
>> In my experience, the most popular AVR-based boards are the ones that
>> not only allow the firmware to be replaced freely, but which actively
>> encourage modification by making lots of signals available through
>> expansion headers. This kind of "hackability" can never be enforced
>> through any kind of software license.
>
> Agreed.  Hardware  should  be  hackable,  too  :-)  (which   includes
> documentation  where  you  don't have to sell your soul and sign NDAs
> that are plain evil).

I agree -- all ATMs, voting machines, slot machines, electricity
meters, traffic lights, navigation systems, safety interlocks, etc
should be hackable. I'm sure that no idiot teenager is going to change
the firmware and allow an unsuspecting person to use the device.


>
> Best regards,
>
> Wolfgang Denk
>
> --
> DENX Software Engineering GmbH,     MD: Wolfgang Denk & Detlev Zundel
> HRB 165235 Munich, Office: Kirchenstr.5, D-82194 Groebenzell, Germany
> Phone: (+49)-8142-66989-10 Fax: (+49)-8142-66989-80 Email: wd at denx.de
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-- 
Jon Smirl
jonsmirl at gmail.com