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Asked: 2018-06-01 02:36:06 +0800 CST

Why is the Linux kernel in main?

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According to GNU, there are nonfree binary blobs in the Ubuntu kernel, presumably these are in linux-firmware (in main) or linux-image-generic (also in main)? If these blobs are non-free, whey are they included in main which only free software is allowed in?

I note that the Linux kernel is licensed under the GPL, how is this possible if the binary blobs included are not free software, how are they redistributable?

I came across this question whilst trying to remove a [citation needed] tag on Wikipedia.

kernel free-software

1 Answers

  1. I suspect you're talking about this part:

    Free software includes software that has met the Ubuntu licensing requirements,[53] which roughly correspond to the Debian Free Software Guidelines. Exceptions, however, include firmware and fonts, in the Main category, because although they are not allowed to be modified, their distribution is otherwise unencumbered. [citation needed]

    And the relevant part about firmware from the the webpage referenced there is:

    Documentation, firmware and drivers

    Ubuntu contains licensed and copyrighted works that are not application software. For example, the default Ubuntu installation includes documentation, images, sounds, video clips and firmware. The Ubuntu community will make decisions on the inclusion of these works on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that these works do not restrict our ability to make Ubuntu available free of charge, and that you can continue to redistribute Ubuntu.

    And a little above that, emphasis mine:

    Ubuntu 'main' component licence policy

    All application software included in the Ubuntu main component:

    • Must include source code. The main component has a strict and non-negotiable requirement that application software included in it must come with full source code.

    By considering "firmware" as not "application software", they have relaxed the requirement of having their source code be available and modifiable, allowing them to be in main.

    At this point you'd probably need a couple of countries' worth of lawyers, a few dozen courts and appeals, and a high noon to decide the validity of this, but that's not something to be settled here on Ask Ubuntu.

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