@sallyNULL @charlie_root I'd just like to add a note.

I have no idea how Theo can be such an accomplished computer scientist but lack basic logical thinking ability.

The "firmware" isn't even gratis - you pay for it as a percentage of the cost you paid for the hardware - the manufacturer just doesn't typically bother to double charge the suckers.

Technically you can download a copy of it without having paid for the hardware, but the manufacturer doesn't care that you haven't paid in that case, as you clearly can't run it or get anything useful out it.