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Weblog:   Is Linksys shirking the GPL? (Maybe not.)
Subject:   Other GPL Violations...
Date:   2003-07-31 20:26:41
From:   rflicken
Response to: Other GPL Violations...

Well, the major difference is that sites that use Linux (like Google, Yahoo, PayPal, etc.) aren't bound by the GPL because they aren't redistributing binary copies of GPL software.


On the other hand, manufacturers that include Linux in a product (like Linksys, and from what I'm told, the WG-2100 BlueSocket for example) are responsible for making their source code available to their customers, or anyone who they distribute binary packages to. I believe it is perfectly permissible under the GPL for a company to incorporate software into an "in-house" solution. Things only get tricky once code starts changing hands.