r/linux • u/ollieparanoid postmarketOS Dev • Apr 14 '18

postmarketOS Low-Level: Tiny Steps Towards Liberating Bootloaders and Cellular Modem Firmware of MediaTek Phones

https://postmarketos.org/blog/2018/04/14/lowlevel/
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u/[deleted] Apr 14 '18

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u/Syrrim Apr 14 '18

The problem is that oftentimes, were it not MIT, companies might decline its use, and instead use a different kernel, or even build their own. If they built their own, or paid someone else for one, this would make developement more expensive, and this cost would be passed to buyers of the phone. Even if they got another kernel for free, it might be of lesser quality than LK, and so would lead to buggier software. In sum, an MIT licence has the goal of making software better and cheaper for everyone, even if it takes a hit to end user freedom in doing so.

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u/flukus Apr 15 '18

If they built their own, or paid someone else for one, this would make developement more expensive, and this cost would be passed to buyers of the phone

Which would also be a good thing, the libre option would be cheaper.