[wellylug] Linux as selling point.

[Jethro Carr]

On Sun, 2005-08-07 at 22:41 +1200, David Murray wrote:
> On Sun, 2005-08-07 at 22:19, Jethro Carr wrote:
> > On Sun, 2005-08-07 at 22:04 +1200, David Antliff wrote:
> > > On Sun, 7 Aug 2005, Jethro Carr wrote:
> > > > Interesting that some retailers are using Linux as a selling point...
> > > >
> > > > http://www.jethrocarr.jedolinux.com/stuff/linux_device.png
> > > >
> > > > I wonder if it's possible to customize the Linux installation on the
> > > > device... 20GB PDA anyone? :-)
> > > 
> > > They don't provide source code. It's a direct violation of the GPL.
> > 
> > yeah, that is a constant problem, especially with embedded devices :-(
> 
> One key question is:
> 
> Are they distributing a software product, or are they distributing a
> gadget that just happens to use software internally?
> 
> They would be in violation of the GPL if they made publicly available a
> modified version of a GPL'd software product in only binary format
> without also publishing the source code of the modifications.
> 
> I'm not convinced that distributing a gadget that just happens to use a
> modification of a GPL'd software product to make that gadget work also
> constitutes a non-internal distribution of a binary version of a
> software product - especially if the software cannot be copied from the
> gadget.
> 

I see where you are coming from, but this is classified as a violation,
as the finished product (which includes the Linux binaries) is being
distributed outside of the company, which is non-internal distribution.

It's like the cases where companies power routers with Linux, and don't
include the source. Exact same thing.

If the product was only used by their employees, it would not be a
violation.



-- 
Jethro Carr <jethro.carr at jedolinux.com>

www.jethrocarr.jedolinux.com

www.jethrocarr.jedolinux.com/index.php?page=cv/cv.php
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