> If there is another approach that achieves this goal in a better way > then we should look at it. Can you suggest an alternative that will > work better for Linux handheld device makers? They can type patch -p1 < linux-foundation-recommended-ussa-fat.patch which removes all the subversive terrorist code that Americans are scared to posess. As has already been said from their point of view thats lowest risk so they will go that path anyway because the question is always "how do I cover my backside maximally" Vendors already do this for other stuff. Why is the kernel special or different ? Take a look at Red Hat RPMS of music players, video players, even things like netpbm for a while where JBIG had patent issues and was simply ripped out of the package. I think you are in real danger of creating a compromise that helps nobody Putting the stuff in kernel upsets everyone who isn't under US rule, creates situations where things cannot be discussed and doesn't make one iota of difference to the vendors because they will remove the code from the source tree options and all anyway - because as has already been said it reduces risk. It also sets a very dangerous precedent. What do you want to do about say our Kconfig help for 'Taiwanese' if it doesn't meet Chinese regulations. What about the Burmese code page. What about code submissions from Iran ? The kernel really cannot and should not get involved in these. Its a vendor problem. They deal with it every day of the year already from MP3 to Taiwanese flags to US crypto export regulations to patents to the openssh option for using the DVD crypto algorithm to making sure their language definitions don't get their product banned in some jurisdiction or another. They have to remove games that glorify war in any way from German product, and so on.. None of this other mass of red tape, bogocracy and the like gets dumped on users all over the world. It's handled by specialists in vendor companies supported by qualified legal personnel with whom they can have full and frank discussion. Another problem with this is that the foundation lawyers goals are almost certainly influenced by the goal to maximise arse coverage for large businesses with US connections. That is who pays them, that is who asks their advice. That puts them partly at odds with the general good. Alan -- To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-fsdevel" in the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
