On Mon, 25 Aug 2003, Greywolf wrote:

> Thus spake Bruce J.A. Nourish ("BJN> ") sometime Yesterday...
>
> BJN> I'm taking this interlude to ask a question: what should we do about
> BJN> non-BSD licensed kernel code? Specifically, the atheros driver relies
> BJN> upon a binary only ELF object, which is released under a licence that
> BJN> prohibits use and distribution in modified form. By FCC regulations,
> BJN> this software cannot be released under any other license.
>
> Did the FCC develop the software?  If not, what business do they have saying
> that the software cannot be released?  Or am I missing the blatantly obvious
> (i.e. that they do, in fact, somehow own the driver)?

They have restrictions, as I understand it, that you can't let out drivers
that can tune to inapropriate channels or set the power too high. While
they don't own the driver, they do control the (radio) license the vendor
needs to be able to sell the card. :-|

Take care,

Bill