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[Troy James Sobotka <troy.sobotka@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, I don't believe I ever requested that Intel change their
license.

I merely was suggesting that A) it was in the wrong package, and B) that
in order to abide by the license the individual be presented with a
popup.

Of course, while the new license might be sufficient, it is clearly
outlined in http://intellinuxwireless.org/?n=faq&s=license that the
older license for which this report pertains, is still in effect for
both of the drivers.

<QUOTE>
A. The important point is to make sure that the end user is notified that the firmware component is governed by an Intel license and provided with a copy of the license terms prior to downloading or using the software. 
</QUOTE>

There is also mention that a header license agreement could cover their
distribution.

While I have long since moved on from this, I suspect that the statement
"All ipw2x00 and iwlwifi firmware files now have appropriate licensing."
is actually incorrect as outlined in the link:

<QUOTE>
Q. The license for the binaries needed with the newer projects (ipw3945 and iwlwifi) seems much cleaner than the license for the ipw2100 and ipw2200.  Can you change the terms of the older license?

[ ipw2100 and ipw2200 specific ]

A. Unfortunately, no. Those binaries contain intellectual property licensed from third parties, and Intel must follow certain contractual obligations in licensing for those components. The ipw3945 and iwlwifi related binaries are all Intel-developed, and we are able to use a simplified license for that product.
</QUOTE>

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Mythbuntu
Bug Team, which is subscribed to linux-firmware-nonfree in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/179139

Title:
  Intel Wireless Restrictions:  ipw2100, ipw2200 are not Free

Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Invalid
Status in “linux-firmware” package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released
Status in “linux-firmware-nonfree” package in Ubuntu:
  Invalid
Status in “linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.22” package in Ubuntu:
  Won't Fix

Bug description:
  The Intel series of wireless adapters requires the usage of a binary
  blob firmware.  In particular, consistent across all of the binary
  blob firmware files is the following clause:

  "Do not use or load this firmware (the "Software") until you have
  carefully read the following terms and conditions. By loading or using
  the Software, you agree to the terms of this Agreement. If you do not
  wish to so agree, do not install or use the Software."

  As such, the EULA is not presented to the user.  According to the web
  page, one must accept the EULA before using the binary blob firmware.

  Should this not be treated as a 'restricted' driver?  Nvidia's driver
  also requires the binary blob approach and is listed as a 'restricted
  driver' as it too requires an accepting of a EULA.

  EULA locations for the relevant firmware blobs:
  EULA for ipw2100:  http://ipw2100.sourceforge.net/firmware.php?fid=4
  EULA for ipw2200:  http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net/firmware.php?fid=7

  The 3945 has a binary microcode blob that has a license as well, but
  doesn't seem as crippling:

  http://bughost.org/ipw3945/LICENSE

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