Launchpad itself

Proprietary source for wifi driver.

Asked by Lasse Luttermann

I'm trying to make a packed version of the Madwifi (branch 0.10.5.6) driver for Atheros wifi cards, this driver how ever contains proprietary code originated from, and copyright'ed Atheros.

This is the license:
 * Copyright (c) 2002-2008 Sam Leffler, Errno Consulting, Atheros
 * Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms are permitted
 * provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 1. The materials contained herein are unmodified and are used
 * unmodified.
 * 2. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 * notice, this list of conditions and the following NO
 * ''WARRANTY'' disclaimer below (''Disclaimer''), without
 * modification.
 * 3. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce at minimum a
 * disclaimer similar to the Disclaimer below and any redistribution
 * must be conditioned upon including a substantially similar
 * Disclaimer requirement for further binary redistribution.
 * 4. Neither the names of the above-listed copyright holders nor the
 * names of any contributors may be used to endorse or promote
 * product derived from this software without specific prior written
 * permission.
 *
 * NO WARRANTY
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
 * ''AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
 * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NONINFRINGEMENT,
 * MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
 * IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
 * FOR SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
 * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
 * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
 * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
 * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
 * SUCH DAMAGES.

So there is nothing in the proprietary license that stops me from making this package, but i would like to make the package available through launchpad rather than my own unstable site.

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Launchpad itself Edit question
Assignee:
Brad Crittenden Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Francis J. Lacoste (flacoste) said : 		#1

Brad Crittenden will review that license and tell you if this appropriate for our PPA policy.

Revision history for this message
Brad Crittenden (bac) said : 		#2

Hi Lasse,

The terms of use for our PPA services are detailed at:
https://help.launchpad.net/PPATermsofUse

All of the licensing criteria specify that the code must require the ability for modification in order for the resulting package to be redistributable by Ubuntu. The requirements listed in "Ubuntu "main" and "restricted" Component license Policy Compliant" (http://www.ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory/licensing) are very clear in that regard.

Therefore, due to your reliance on the Atheros code with the "no modification" restriction the project is not permitted to use Launchpad or the PPA system.

--Brad Crittenden

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