[Prensa] [gnu-prog-discuss] [en] Linux-2.6.36-libre: turning Linux's Free Bait into Free Software

[Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton]

On Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 10:57 AM, Alexandre Oliva <lxoliva en fsfla.org> wrote:

> For immediate publication

> OSI director Andrew C. Oliver adds that “Open Core puts the software
> user at a disadvantage in the same way that all proprietary software
> puts the user at a disadvantage”, it “is merely a nick-name for a
> proprietary software company”, and those who imply their “proprietary
> software is open source or has the advantages of open source are
> engaging in deception.”

 ARM is presently engaging in these deceptive practices, which is
particularly ironic given that they wish to market their new ARM
Cortex A9 and upcoming A15 CPUs in a world where the only real choice
is a linux-kernel-based OS such as GNU/Linux or Android.

 specifically: the 3D graphics engine, MALI, being licensed to at
least three known ARM licensees (Telechips, Nufront and ST-Ericsson),
is proprietary.  the MALI OpenGL ES 2.0 compliant library
(/usr/lib/libgl.2.so) is proprietary.  the MALI OpenGL ES 2.0 firmware
is proprietary.  the header files are often not even distributed AT
ALL.  only the linux kernel module is GPL-compliant, but it is nothing
more than a "shim" which allows the proprietary libraries to access a
secret shared memory area of the ARM processor, where the proprietary
MALI 3D engine can get at it.

 in discussions with ARM, ARM have claimed that they are "open source
[1] compliant, so what is the problem?" and that "they have not had
any complaints from their licensees".

 given that some of these licensees, such as Telechips, are blatant
GPL violators who force their customers to sign NDAs before giving
them the GPL linux kernel source code, i remain deeply unimpressed
with the responses from ARM so far.

 i don't understand why ARM are doing this.  the opportunity to clean
up and take over the windows+intel monopoly is theirs for the taking,
and yet they're stiffing the very people that they need to help
deliver innovative reliable and exciting software: the free software
community [2].

 l.

 [1] http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html
 [2] don't laugh - make it true :)