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A comment on Linux 4.7 Released. Parent comment

Re:Linux 4.7 Released by executesorder66 on Monday July 25, 2016 @02:50AM (#12156926)
> Trying to get vendors to open source anything is a hilarious exercise in futility.

I hate that this is true. Could anyone explain to me why though? Would it not make life easier for them if they just open sourced their firmware and let other people update/maintain it? (Sorry for the noob question, I haven't looked into this in detail)

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Re:Linux 4.7 Released by throwaway_exer on Monday July 25, 2016 @03:09AM (#12157000)
1) opens them up to more patent infringement lawsuits

2) FCC prefers SDN radios be blackboxes

3) costs more money to document and support

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Re:Linux 4.7 Released by executesorder66 on Monday July 25, 2016 @07:41AM (#12157956)
1) Why would they be infringing on a patent if they open source their own code? Could you expand on this point please.

2) Seems like a small subset of devices. And the FCC only has power in the US right?

3) Surely they have to document their stuff internally anyway. And being opensource can mean free documentation. Same for support.

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