On Thu, 2008-05-15 at 15:58 -0500, Jordi Gutiérrez Hermoso wrote: > There's actually a very real example of this in Debian, modifications > of BMWs aside. The iwlwifi driver uses a firmware blob that Intel > claims is necessary in order to enforce FCC regulations. This is > ridiculous. First of all, it's not Intel's job to make sure its > customers obey FCC regulations; if the customers break the > regulations, that's their problem, not Intel's. Second, again the > belief that security through obscurity is a good goal. Even with the > blob, people can and will modify the software to do things such as > disobeying FCC regulations. The blob only presents a temporary > obstacle, but not a real solution to what Intel wants to achieve. > > Power to the users. If they break the laws, that's their problem. We > don't need paternalistic corporations doing the job of law-enforcement > agencies.
My understanding is that the FCC (which I believe has no jurisdiction over me, but that's another issue) regulations require the manufacturer to keep the source closed. Whether it works is debatable, and I agree with the principles of what you're saying, but my understanding is Intel is doing what they're required to. Richard -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
