Comment 12 for bug 509265

@Lou Ruppert:

Legally, if we don't have a proper license we can't redistribute it as part of the Ubuntu distribution. The linux-firmware-nonfree package is a compromise. It's the best we can do. The real fix would be to get the manufacturer to release the firmware under a redistributable license. Some manufacturers have been receptive, others haven't. I would encourage you to make your voice heard to manufacturers of firmware you use, and state that you think it's in everyone's best interest to have the firmware redistributable. Until we have such a license though, our hands are tied.

We empathize with you, and we have to deal with it on our systems as well. I hope you can understand that we just can't put the firmware in the main Ubuntu distribution due to convenience.

Thanks