On Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 02:58:07AM +0100, Peter Stuge wrote:
Note that it's not really legally possible to sell you a firmware based on coreboot
That's not correct. It's perfectly possible and allowed. It's just that the source also needs be provided (as per the requirements of the GPL), and that nobody can stop you - the customer - from redistributing that source code under the GPL.
So what Peter is saying here, I think, is that it is difficult to charge for software under the GPL because your price point can be undercut quite easily. Most companies build business models around support or some sort of other added value (like, say, providing rom chips preprogrammed with a copy of coreboot).
- since coreboot is GPL you are always entitled
to receive the source code free of charge.
That is actually not 100% correct - see section 6 of the GPL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html). In a nutshell, it's ok to charge a small amount for the source, as long as it is no more than the cost required to provide the copy. In the case of a downloadable copy, that cost should be zero (see 6b). If you want to receive physical media, a small charge is allowed.
You can however always purchase consulting services that are related to the code from anyone who offers them.
I know of two companies that provide consulting services related to coreboot; Coresystems GmbH (Germany) run by Stefan Reinauer and my own consulting company Konsult Stuge. (Sweden)
Maybe there are more - how does everyone feel about a wiki page that lists companies offering commercial support? Bad idea?
Good idea. List away.
Thanks, Ward.