[rb-general] [Gnuk-users] Reproducible builds for gnuk?

[Peter Lebbing]

bOn 25/11/17 02:13, Peter Stuge wrote:
> OpenMoko paid for a VID but since their product development discontinued
> they offer PIDs to free and open source projects at no cost, under some
> conditions. They are legally experienced, have had no trouble with the
> USB-IF so far, and I don't see any reason why they would. They've
> assigned a fair number of PIDs so far. See
> http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/USB_Product_IDs

As far as I know, OpenMoko, Inc. doesn't exist anymore. What kind of
trouble do you expect a corporation that doesn't exist anymore to get
into? Be dragged back from the dead and into court? Zombie defendant? :-)

That's the beauty of it. The USB-IF can't reassign the VID, because
nobody would want to pay full price for a second-hand VID that already
has  a VID mapping that says "OpenMoko, Inc." and a number of VID:PID
mappings in all current OS'es. And all many free software projects want
is a *unique* VID:PID, it doesn't have to be officially sanctioned by
the USB-IF to be useful.

> [...] This scenario is clearly *not* in the interest
> of the USB-IF, nor anyone else. ;)

I think you're reasoning too much from common sense, and in that,
assuming that a company also employs common sense. Lawyers might see
reasons why this usage dilutes the meaning of the agreement USB-IF has
you sign, and cause trouble for the project or the FSIJ. I think it's
prudent to be cautious here. Or get written clarification from the
USB-IF, but I think that might not be free (gratis), especially when you
indicate that you will publish the answer they give for the world to see.

Cheers,

Peter.

-- 
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