mirror of
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git/
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d3cf09a976
Firmware licenses on linux-firmware should include an implicit or explicit patent grant to end users for full device operation otherwise it would start making linux-firmware useless for many Linux distributions which have positions against patent encumbered software [0] [1] [2] and it would mean cherry picking firmware files out. It can also mean making it problematic to redistribute linux-firmware in some jurisdictions which could have different positions on patents, or have already outlawed software patents. Licenses with implicit patent grants are allowed given that otherwise we couldn't carry permissively licensed firmwares which would be silly, but using permissively licensed firmware files which remove patent grants explicitly are not allowed. A clarifications is needed as one attempt was already made to include firmware encumbered by patents without a grant [3] and it was decided we would not allow these. We clarify this to make this requirement explicit and prevent these type of further attempts. [0] https://www.debian.org/legal/patent [1] http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Software_Patents#Red_Hat.27s_position_on_Software_Patents [2] http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/about-us/ [3] https://lkml.org/lkml/2014/3/14/182 Cc: netdev@vger.kernel.org Cc: linux-wireless@vger.kernel.org Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Signed-off-by: Luis R. Rodriguez <mcgrof@suse.com> Signed-off-by: Kyle McMartin <kyle@kernel.org>
Linux firmware
==============
<http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git>
git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git
This repository contains all these firmware images which have been
extracted from older drivers, as well various new firmware images which
we were never permitted to include in a GPL'd work, but which we _have_
been permitted to redistribute under separate cover.
To submit firmware to this repository, please send either a git binary
diff or preferably a git pull request to:
linux-firmware@kernel.org
and also cc: to related mailing lists.
Your commit should include an update to the WHENCE file clearly
identifying the license under which the firmware is available, and
that it is redistributable. Being redistributable includes ensuring
the firmware license provided includes an implicit or explicit
patent grant to end users to ensure full functionality of device
operation with the firmware. If the license is long and involved, it's
permitted to include it in a separate file and refer to it from the
WHENCE file.
And if it were possible, a changelog of the firmware itself.
Ideally, your commit should contain a Signed-Off-By: from someone
authoritative on the licensing of the firmware in question (i.e. from
within the company that owns the code).
WARNING:
=======
Don't send any "CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT" in your e-mail, patch or
request. Otherwise your firmware _will never be accepted_.
Maintainers are really busy, so don't expect a prompt reply.