[SATLUG] Why Ubuntu is the best distribution for wifi-enabled computers

[Sean Carolan]

> > > The reason that Red Hat does not include binary only drivers is that it
> > > is a violation of the license to do so.  Red Hat, having morals and a
> > > respect for the law (not to mention deep pockets - ripe for a law suit)
> > > will not package binary only drivers in clear violation of the law.
> >
> > Which U.S. law is being broken by including the madwifi drivers and
> > kernel modules on the installation disc?
>
> The license agreements to many binary only components prohibit
> redistribution.  In this case I am talking about the drivers themselves,
> not the supporting code.

You still didn't answer my question - which law is being violated by
distributing the madwifi drivers?  You stated that packaging binary
only drivers is in "clear violation of the law".

As far as the nVidia drivers go, this is straight from the nVidia website:

<quote>
Why does NVIDIA not provide RPMs anymore?
Not every Linux distribution uses RPM, and NVIDIA wanted a single
solution that would work across all Linux distributions. As indicated
in the NVIDIA Software License, Linux distributions are welcome to
*repackage and redistribute* the NVIDIA Linux driver in whatever
package format they wish.
</quote>
http://us.download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/1.0-9755/README/chapter-04.html

> Again, it is not legal under the terms of most binary driver licenses to
> redistribute those drivers.

Mkay, but with the two specific examples we are discussing the
licenses *do* allow for redistribution of the binary drivers.

> Yup - and I hate to do so.  BUT - I do it the way that NVidia wants me
> to, which is to download the driver from their web site and use it on my
> machine.  I don't redistribute it since that's against the terms of
> their license.

No, nVidia specifically states that distributions are free to package
their binary driver along with their other packages.  (See above)

> No argument that it is easy.  But at what price?

What exactly *is* the price you are talking about?  I don't see why it
would be so hard for Red Hat or other Linux vendors to include a
separate disc with the nVidia and madwifi drivers.  You could even put
a big skull and crossbones on it with a scary warning about the evils
of proprietary code if you wanted to.

Canonical is acting fully within the law when they include these
restricted drivers with their installer.  The FUD about them hiding
from lawsuits by incorporating in South Africa just doesn't hold
water.  Every binary driver that is included with Ubuntu is legal and
authorized.

Even Linus Torvalds is not opposed to people including binary kernel
modules if they choose to do so:

http://lkml.org/lkml/2006/12/13/370