This is the responce from Ericsson. The only change has been to remove my personal phone number.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: WIH Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 4:40 AM Subject: WIH ASQ000000332170 - Internet - Software License - Answer To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear Kevin Dean, This is the answer to the question that you submitted to Ericsson.com page, we hope that it is to your satisfaction. Best regards Ericsson.com Support ------- Answer: Thank you for contacting Ericsson! The firmware is not loaded by the OS; therefore, it does not fall under the GNU license. ------- Question: I am a developer for gNewSense, a GNU/Linux distribution focused on user freedoms as presented by the GNU Project Manifesto which states all users have the right to edit, modify, redistribute, learn from and adapt software. In the Linux kernel there is a device driver (fore200e) that was published by FORE Systems Inc., a company purchased by Ericsson. The license of this device driver says the driver is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) but then goes on to prompt that the source code for the firmware is a trade secret and do not ask for it. I respect Ericsson's patent and trade secret rights, however the GPL license terms binds all distributors of the software to provide accompanying source code: in order to Ericsson to license this software under the GNU GPL Ericsson is required to provide such source or declare the terms of the GPL voided and cease distribution of that software under GPL terms. In short, it is NOT possible to comply with the license of this driver in either fashion since they are mutually exclusive. It is my wish, as a developer for gNewSense, to get clarification to this situation. Does Ericsson hold that this software is GPL (as published) and honor it's obligation to provide source, or does Ericsson, at this point, hold that source code is not publicly available, hence ending the GPL license? We will happily remove the driver but it is our hope that Ericsson will honor the terms of the GNU GPL by releasing corresponding human-readable source code to enable users with those devices to use their systems with Free Software. I can be contacted via e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by telephone in the USA at [XXX-XXX-XXXX] I seriously look forward to clarification on the license terms of this driver. -Kevin Dean ---------- This communication is confidential and intended solely for the addressee(s). Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you believe this message has been sent to you in error, please notify the sender by replying to this transmission and delete the message without disclosing it. Thank you. E-mail including attachments is susceptible to data corruption, interruption, unauthorized amendment, tampering and viruses, and we only send and receive e-mails on the basis that we are not liable for any such corruption, interception, amendment, tampering or viruses or any consequences thereof. _______________________________________________ gNewSense-users mailing list [email protected] http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnewsense-users
