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Weblog:   Is Linksys shirking the GPL? (Maybe not.)
Subject:   Other GPL Violations...
Date:   2003-07-31 20:10:52
From:   anonymous2
I had the priviledge of hearing Tim speak this past weekend. It's interesting he commented tangentally to this. He stated that Google, YahooMaps, PayPal, and eBay are all running linux, yet we've got no source from them. Does anyone believe they have not modified?


I'm not saying that they should turn over all thier assests, or even reveal what they have done, but it does provide some contrast to this story in that these are held as icons of the OSS movement, and not disected.
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  • Other GPL Violations...
    2003-07-31 20:26:41  rflicken [Reply | View]

    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.

  • Other GPL Violations...
    2003-07-31 20:28:44  anonymous2 [Reply | View]

    If these companies are not distributing binaries of the GPL software they modified, they are under no obligation to provide you with source. The obligation to provide source is triggered only by distribution, not by use, which is explicitly *not* covered by the GPL (IIRC it explicitly says usage licenses are improper if not illegal).
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