sveasoft violating the GPL?

[n0cmonkey]

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10804029~mode=flat~days=9999~start=340#10839872

Might be interesting reading if you own one of those Linksys routers or are a license freak like me.

 

[skyking]

I was going to get one of those routers AND get that firmware.... I will watch and wait for the dust to clear now😛

 

[n0cmonkey]

Setting up an old PC with a FOSS OS is easy. Heck, even that cluster fudge called linux shouldn't be too tough.

I miss mine now. 🙁

 

[skyking]

I am running astaro security linux on a P2 333 right now, but my 486 doorstop with the evergreen technologies 120 MHZ socket4!! is still lurking, needing only trons to take over the duties.............

 

[JackMDS]

I would bet that process is:

A while ago on a distant planet while tinkering with the newly released Linksys Wireless Router.

Hey Jiboboy guess what the Linksys is using Linux as the OS in the Router. ;:light:

Wow Billboboy Linux is an open source may be we can hack the Router. 😎

Few days after.

Wow Guys it works let put it on the Internet. :beer:

Few weeks after.

Hey every one likes it is it a way we can make few bucks of it? 😀

But Golboboy it is Open Source. :shocked:

Hmmm we are smart enough to Hack a Router. :thumbsup: Open Source??? :thumbsup: Hmmm.

:clock: :clock::clock::clock::clock::clock:

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
I would bet that process is:

A while ago on a distant planet while tinkering with the newly released Linksys Wireless Router.

Hey Jiboboy guess what the Linksys is using Linux as the OS in the Router. ;:light:

Wow Billboboy Linux is an open source may be we can hack the Router. 😎

Few days after.

Wow Guys it works let put it on the Internet. :beer:

Few weeks after.

Hey every one likes it is it a way we can make few bucks of it? 😀

But Golboboy it is Open Source. :shocked:

Hmmm we are smart enough to Hack a Router. :thumbsup: Open Source??? :thumbsup: Hmmm.

:clock: :clock::clock::clock::clock::clock:

Do you really disapprove of this then? You are rarely sarcastic about anything as far as I can remember.

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo

Originally posted by: JackMDS
I would bet that process is:

A while ago on a distant planet while tinkering with the newly released Linksys Wireless Router.

Hey Jiboboy guess what the Linksys is using Linux as the OS in the Router. ;:light:

Wow Billboboy Linux is an open source may be we can hack the Router. 😎

Few days after.

Wow Guys it works let put it on the Internet. :beer:

Few weeks after.

Hey every one likes it is it a way we can make few bucks of it? 😀

But Golboboy it is Open Source. :shocked:

Hmmm we are smart enough to Hack a Router. :thumbsup: Open Source??? :thumbsup: Hmmm.

:clock: :clock::clock::clock::clock::clock:

Do you really disapprove of this then? You are rarely sarcastic about anything as far as I can remember.

JackMDS sarcasic ? :Q Ohh yeah, he's sarcastic.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
I would bet that process is:

A while ago on a distant planet while tinkering with the newly released Linksys Wireless Router.

Hey Jiboboy guess what the Linksys is using Linux as the OS in the Router. ;:light:

Wow Billboboy Linux is an open source may be we can hack the Router. 😎

Few days after.

Wow Guys it works let put it on the Internet. :beer:

Few weeks after.

Hey every one likes it is it a way we can make few bucks of it? 😀

But Golboboy it is Open Source. :shocked:

Hmmm we are smart enough to Hack a Router. :thumbsup: Open Source??? :thumbsup: Hmmm.

:clock: :clock::clock::clock::clock::clock:

It was more like this:
Linksys creates router that utlizes GPLed software.
Linksys does not release source for said software (as required by the GPL).
License freaks get their panties in a bunch.
Linksys releases source.
Much rejoicing.
3rd party firmware hackers appear.


The problem is *not* sveasoft making money off of this, but the trouble it is to get the source and potential other GPL violations. Charging someone for the source after they paid for the binary is shady at best, and charging $50 or whatever for a CDR makes it even worse. The rule of thumb is that you can charge someone that you distributed the binary to, but the src for free or for the cost of media and shipping. So $50 is too much.

Also, there is the possibility that sveasoft is tracking the subscribers. If there is user identifying information in the binaries, there is the possibility of a GPL violation (according to something I read), but that's kind of shaky.

Canceling subscriptions of people that distribute GPLed binaries (perfectly legal under the GPL license, as long as they release the src too 😉) may be seen as adding stipulations to the GPL. That's a no-no and is explicitly denied in the GPL itself.

I just got up, so I haven't looked for a FSF ruling on the matter. As long as you have a copy of the binary and the source and distribute them together, there should be no issues.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: amdfanboy

Originally posted by: PorBleemo

Originally posted by: JackMDS
I would bet that process is:

A while ago on a distant planet while tinkering with the newly released Linksys Wireless Router.

Hey Jiboboy guess what the Linksys is using Linux as the OS in the Router. ;:light:

Wow Billboboy Linux is an open source may be we can hack the Router. 😎

Few days after.

Wow Guys it works let put it on the Internet. :beer:

Few weeks after.

Hey every one likes it is it a way we can make few bucks of it? 😀

But Golboboy it is Open Source. :shocked:

Hmmm we are smart enough to Hack a Router. :thumbsup: Open Source??? :thumbsup: Hmmm.

:clock: :clock::clock::clock::clock::clock:

Do you really disapprove of this then? You are rarely sarcastic about anything as far as I can remember.

JackMDS sarcasic ? :Q Ohh yeah, he's sarcastic.

But really rare as far as I have seen...