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If the device-specific kernel doesn't require blobs, it is easier to upstream the changes. If the device-specific kernel requires blobs on top of mainline, you'
by pritambaral 9y ago
If the device-specific kernel doesn't require blobs, it is easier to upstream the changes. If the device-specific kernel requires blobs on top of mainline, you're screwed either way.
- ryukafalz 9y agoWell, true - though in most cases I'd imagine the blobs are firmware that would otherwise be burned onto the peripheral ROM and aren't too closely tied to the kernel itself. IANAL, but you'd have a heck of a time arguing that a blob shipped with a device's kernel wasn't a derivative work if it linked with kernel sources. On the other hand, it's possible to upstream the changes, but if you're dealing with anything like Qualcomm's 1.7 million line kernel fork[0] it's exceedingly unlikely if you're not the SoC manufacturer. And if you're not able to upstream them, you're stuck backporting security patches til the end of time/you throw the device out. [0] https://events.linuxfoundation.org/sites/events/files/slides/stephen-boyd-elc.pdf https://events.linuxfoundation.org/sites/events/files/slides...