[Dev] [libreplanet-discuss] Misleading information in EOMA68 news

[Tiberiu-Cezar Tehnoetic]

On 26.08.2016 21:48, pelzflorian (Florian Pelz) wrote:
> It seems the problem is the meaning of “libre” in terms of unreleased
> hardware/software. EOMA68 certainly is aligned with libre culture and
> significant for freedom because of its modularity standard. It also is
> GPL-compliant like any unreleased product, but this does not mean much.

You're mixing so many concepts here.

> I believe the claim that it is “free from the very beginning” is
> imprecise but not deceptive 

I disagree, since that claim has made people believe it's already libre
hardware (as news articles prove). Which is not. The exception is
actually the computer itself.

> and *not a problem* if all available sources
> will eventually be released.

Well, if it's not true that said hardware is libre hardware now (or
since "the very beginning" until now) and we consider it "not a problem"
if at some unspecified point in time it's going to be libre hardware,
than we are justifying the practice of falsely marketing hardware as
free-design hardware. And the same logic ("not a problem") can apply to
GPL-violaters who at some point in time they comply with GPL.

> A clear promise to release what is missing would seem fair though.

A clear deadline for the release is what's needed. Previously I have
compiled a list of demands for this crowdfunded project backed by the users:

https://trisquel.info/en/forum/re-dev-misleading-information-eoma68-news#comment-101927

Copying them here:

Here is what I think backers should do:

1. Demand a clear deadline for the release of the circuit design sources
under a free license.

2. Demand to stop promoting their Computer as "libre hardware" until
they release the circuit design sources under a free license.

3. Demand the Computer is shipped to them along with the circuit design
sources under a free license, even though the shipping is done before
the official deadline.

4. Demand the above conditions are met for further backing the
crowdfunding campaign.