If it’s critical for operation of a device the company makes it’s money with.
Edit: free, but i meant open
A way to address that is to require that if the company does not provide software updates, it must release the source code and tooling to it’s customers under cc-0 license. For games that depends on server-side services to work, that should be provided as well.
But under capitalism, that will be an uphill battle.
I remember that RMS’s position is that if someone (!) can change it (eg there is an “update firmware” button), it is a computer and should run free software. If no one can ever change it, it is a circuit. I think that makes some sense.
Many microcontrollers can be set up for in circuit programming.
They might be intended for one time programming in the factory, but solder some wires on in the right place and supply the right signal and it can be reprogrammed.
Is that a circuit or a computer?
Always
Won’t happen under capitalism. Which is just another reason capitalism needs to go.
We? What can “we” do about it?
Apes together strong. “We” can accomplish anything in large enough numbers.
We might as well bring some pitchforks and torches.
One is to view free firmware as desirable but not necessary
I can’t make firmware but I hope the people who can make free (libre) firmware don’t give up, which is what that position sounds like.
