[Bug 575518] [NEW] linux kernel contains GPL violations

[Kip Warner]

Public bug reported:

The linux kernel is currently licensed under the GPL, but contains
binary blobs and source incompatible with the GPL. Here is a sample
list[1] of some of the affected source.

    * drivers/char/ser_a2232fw.h
    * drivers/char/ser_a2232fw.ax
    * drivers/net/ixp2000/ixp2400_rx.ucode
    * drivers/net/ixp2000/ixp2400_rx.uc
    * drivers/net/ixp2000/ixp2400_tx.ucode
    * drivers/net/wan/wanxlfw.inc_shipped
    * drivers/net/wan/wanxlfw.S
    * drivers/net/wireless/atmel.c
    * drivers/scsi/53c700_d.h_shipped
    * drivers/scsi/53c700.scr
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic79xx_seq.h_shipped
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic79xx.seq
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic7xxx_seq.h_shipped
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic7xxx.seq
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx_old/aic7xxx_seq.c
    * drivers/scsi/aic7xxx_old/aic7xxx.seq
    * drivers/scsi/53c7xx_d.h_shipped
    * drivers/scsi/53c7xx.scr
    * drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_fw1.h
    * drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_fw2.h
    * firmware/dsp56k/bootstrap.bin.ihex
    * firmware/dsp56k/bootstrap.asm
    * firmware/keyspan_pda/keyspan_pda.HEX
    * firmware/keyspan_pda/keyspan_pda.S
    * firmware/keyspan_pda/xircom_pgs.HEX
    * firmware/keyspan_pda/xircom_pgs.S
    * sound/pci/cs46xx/imgs/cwcdma.h
    * sound/pci/cs46xx/imgs/cwcdma.asp

Some options:
(1) Strip all non-free code out and distribute only that package
(2) Strip all non-free code out and distribute that as an additional alternative package
(3) Change the licensing of the kernel package to reflect this and move it to either Restricted or Multiverse.

For more information, please see this:
http://www.fsfla.org/svnwiki/anuncio/2010-03-Linux-2.6.33-libre

References:
[1] http://libresoft.es/Members/herraiz/blog/linux-is-not-free-software

** Affects: linux (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: gpl kernel linux nonfree violation

-- 
linux kernel contains GPL violations
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/575518
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