Thanks guys for your input...
Well, I reviewed a little bit the terms & conditions of GPL stuff on http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html , looks like, Yes, they're bound in releasing such GPL codes to the public...and in the same time, they're also bound letting the recipients of their code, modify it and thus; redistribute for a fee or not .....but making sure the appropriate rights are transmitted and not restrained All this because, it's thru the GNU General Public License guidelines that they do..... And Jim, you're right, if re-distributing those boxes is on a large scale, better get them to brand it for you....just like Vonage and others.....and then, you get to enjoy some discount, of course... In the same lines, you must be clear to your end-customers (just like OEM products are supported by the OEM and not the original manufacturer)to whom they should address their support-related inquiries......(Ever called LinkSys with an issue on your Vonage PAP adapter? They'll gladly give you Vonage Support numbers) And again, guys, thanks for your inputs and have all a fabulous day! Claudius "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." -- President Harry S. Truman From: Jim Van Meggelen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, July 02, 2006 11:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [on-asterisk] Asterisk on WRT54gs: What are the legal grounds behind ? The reason they make the GPL code available is because they must. I don't think that proves that they want people to modify their box (although the release of the"L" series routers indicates that they recognize the modders community represents a significant source of revenue). The question, however, is not so much whether they mind if you mod the box or not, but whether they mind if you then re-sell said modded box. Jim ________________________________ From: Mohamed Omar [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: July 2, 2006 12:12 AM To: Jim Van Meggelen; [email protected] Subject: RE: [on-asterisk] Asterisk on WRT54gs: What are the legal grounds behind ? Just to add-on to this. if linksys does not want people to modify their boxes and install linux then they wouldn't make this GPL code available on their website for people download. http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Content_C1&childpagename=US %2FLayout&cid=1115416836002&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper thanks Jim Van Meggelen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: In considering this question with colleagues, we have contemplated the following questions: If you buy a car, can you not rip out the engine and put in a new one, and then sell it? If you buy a computer with Windows installed, can you not wipe the drive and install Linux, and then sell it? If you buy a toaster, can you not rip out the wiring, fill it with dirt, plant a flower, and sell it? Anyhow, it probably comes down to nothing more than whether Linksys would be annoyed enough by your actions to sic their lawyers on you. I would imagine that you'd have to be selling a lot of them to attract such attention, and even then, if you were moving that much volume, I'd suggest calling the sales department at Linksys and asking them if they'd be willing to brand their router for you, and also give you a deep discount seeing as you are moving such large volumes. Good chance that'd get the legal team onto more troublesome matters. You're on your own as to whether modifying and re-selling that router is "legal". Personally, I doubt you'd find any any laws against it (e.g. "it is illegal in to modify cheap internet routers running GPL software"), but I suppose the licence agreement that Linksys snuck into the box would give you their opinion on the matter. Again, they sold you the box, so you own it. What right do they have to tell you what can be done with it? Sure, you can (and will) void your warranty, but the GPL prevents them from saying much about what you do to the software. Perhaps they put some clause in some fine print that says you may not do such-and-such, and that they own your first born, and what-all-else, but the cops aren't likely to drag you away on those grounds, so it'd all have to be sorted out in court if it came down to it. I can tell you what Linksys' biggest concern is likely to be: getting support calls for systems running your code. It'd cost them a ton of money discovering that all those irate callers were running some hacked firmware, and if they figured out it was you they'd probably feel mighty inclined to send you a bill. Slap a sticker on the box that says "do not call Linksys for support on this product", for whatever good that would do. Anyhow, if your clients are lawyers, I'd say ask them! Get some free advice and let us know what they say. Whatever you do don't listen to me, because I am neither qualified to answer this question, nor am I in any way responsible for what results from any actions taken as a result of the preceding opinions. You're on your own. Jim -- Jim Van Meggelen [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/au/2177 "A child is the ultimate startup, and I have three. This makes me rich." Guy Kawasaki -- > -----Original Message----- > From: Claudius Fortis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: July 1, 2006 6:03 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [on-asterisk] Asterisk on WRT54gs: What are the > legal grounds behind ? > > Wanted to take this moment and thank Dave for a wonderful > presentation (although I missed the 1st part....caught up w/ > the materials [thx > Simon]) > Makes a great project to work on...and already my minds is > full of ideas... > > Can't wait for the workshop...heheheheh > > > I now have a question in this regard...about legality of > distributing my LinkSys OpenWRT to my customers > > Please excuse my ignorance if this is an FAQ, I'm just a > newbie here... > > Not actually sure how to formulate this one...well, I'll try. > > I was wondering, guys, on which [legal] grounds LinkSys > allows the modification of their product. Do they have any > legal authorization they grant or we go by the GPL's ...... > Sorry, one my clients is a Law Firm, (and trust me, lawyers > have a whole lot of questions... :D ) I just wanted to be > prepared on this type of question when it strikes back.... > > Thanks all for your input and have a happy Canada Day! > > Claudius > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For > additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release > Date: 30/06/2006 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 30/06/2006 --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.phoneip.net ________________________________ Now you can have a huge leap forward in email: get the new Yahoo! Mail. <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=40705/*http:/mrd.mail.yahoo.com/try_beta?.in tl=ca> -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 30/06/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 30/06/2006
