I agree. Anyone who looks at this source code and then writes (or copies) code for openbios would be doing the project a huge disfavor.
You would essential give Award an easy (very easy) way to shut down the code, and no manufacturer would touch this project with a 10ft. pole.
Unless, that is, Per Jessen has a license to distribute source code AND has the authority to release it for inclusion in Open Source licensed software.
I have spent (and continue to spend) huge amounts of time consulting about Open Source licensing issues, mostly for Global 1000 companies. The pollution of Open Source licensed code with proprietary code (coupled with a lack of responsible body for Open Source code) is the single largest fear that prevents most of these companies from using Open Source. And this is just contributing to this.
Chris.
On Mon, 27 Aug 2001, Ronald G Minnich wrote:
On Mon, 27 Aug 2001, Brian Hurt wrote:
On Sun, 26 Aug 2001, Per Jessen wrote:
All,
having just returned from a weeks sailing in the Ionian Sea, I remembered I had a number of requests for a copy of the Award BIOS source code I mentioned in a previous posting to the list.
If you're interested, simply reply to this email.
I am somewhat concerned about the potiential licensing and intellectual property rights problems distributing a copy of the proprietary BIOS on the open-bios mailing list, or even to a large segment of it's developers, would entail. Perhaps I missed the original message to the list which dealt with this. Has it been discussed?
I'm just really glad it's on the openbios list. If this discussion had appeared on any list I own I would have had to moderate the list or filter out the offers for BIOS source or just plain reject mail from people who offered it.
Yes, I think it's a terrible thing.
ron
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-- chris maresca internet systems architect -- www.chrismaresca.com
"linux, only up 138 days, because california has flaky power... "
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