LinuxFest Northwest 2017: Respecting Freedom: Free software license compliance for hardware devices
Channel: linuxfestnorthwest
Date: 07/05/2017

Free software is quite literally all around us these days. Many devices in our homes require some free software to actually run. From televisions to toasters, as more devices come with greater capabilities, and even internet connectivity, free software is frequently starting to run our homes.

But even though these devices may be built with free software, the freedom doesn't always come along for the ride. Devices running on free software are unfortunately one of the biggest problem areas when it comes to free software license compliance. With many devices now connecting to the internet, it is more important that users have the security, privacy, and control that free licenses guarantee to ensure that these devices work for them, and not someone else.

This session will act as a guide for understanding common failures in free software licensing when it comes to hardware devices. The session should help those distributing hardware to understand the basics of their duties under free licenses, but users will also learn what to look for when they receive a device to ensure their rights are being respected. The session will close with a discussion of the Free Software Foundation's Respects Your Freedom certification program http://fsf.org/ryf, which certifies devices that are sold with only free software included.