OFB Community Mailing Lists

[Frank Bax]

http://www.monkey.org/openbsd/archive/misc/0410/msg03173.html
http://www.monkey.org/openbsd/archive/misc/0410/msg03321.html
http://www.monkey.org/openbsd/archive/misc/0410/msg03336.html
http://www.monkey.org/openbsd/archive/misc/0410/msg03340.html

OpenBSD developers are trying to get licensing changed on firmware binaries 
for wireless devices. Linux and BSD drivers already exist for the devices 
and the firmware is found on a Windows CDROM that accompanies the 
devices.  The OpenBSD developers cannot include the firmware binary "blob" 
as part of the OS distro without a change to the licensing.  They are not 
asking for release of code as open source, only free distribution of the 
firmware binary blobs.  It seems that many devices uses a flash chip to 
store firmware, but newer wireless devices do not have such a chip and the 
firmware must be downloaded onto the device.  Discussions are already 
taking place with three other chipset manufacturers, but not the two 
biggest players.  Both TI and Intel are currently not open to discussion, 
so email campaign was started.

Frank