On Sat, 4 Jun 2005, Matan Ziv-Av wrote:
If it is an unmodified GPL version of well-known code like the kernel and
busybox then there is no need to provide the source since the binaries are
'stock'. You can d/l the source elsewhere.
It is best that you read the GPL, before you give opinions about it. The
license says nothing about "well-known code". If you commercially distribute
a binary created from a GPL source to someone, you must either include a copy
of the source (3a) or a written offer to provide the source (3b).
Or you must make it available to the user on request. On your website,
or someone else's. And it IS available. The GPL does not say anywhere
that the distributor must provide a CS degree with hardware consultation
and assistance in building a complex aggregate hardware/software system.
Nor a script for automatic building. The code is out there, the
datasheets are out there, you can buy bare development boards (for ~$10k
fyi), go get them and do it yourself if you like.
If they use proprietary programs then they are proprietary and that's that,
and it's legal, and they do not need to publish any source.
Only if the whole package is "mere aggregation" of the GPL and non-GPL parts.
It is quite clear that a kernel module is a derived work of the kernel, and
that the "module exception" from Linus does not cover modules that are
distributed together with the kernel bianry they are supposed to run with.
No it is not. There are many examples of kernel modules that provide
support for modems, network drivers and other devices, which are NOT
open source and NOT 'aggregations'. If you don't want to make your
802.11g wireless card work - don't use the modules! Suse, Red Hat and
others regularly ship with such modules in the distribution. Some
graphics card drivers (like nvidia) are notorious for this. Most 802.11g
drivers available run the original (win32) driver in an emulation
because they are closed source.
And to top it all, you do not own the router, it is rented. So you are a
'user' and have no rights on the hardware or software in it, nor has
anyone an obligation to show you, as a user, anything. It's nice enough
they did not hide the ssh, ftp and telnet interfaces, or alter the
kernel /proc filesystem to hide its origins. I.e. they repect the IP.
Would you expect to be able to see the source code of the interacting
application in an ATM banking machine if it runs linux inside ? Want to
bet that qualified Bezeq service personnel have manufacturer contacts
and source access if they need it ?
Again, the distributor for the linux used in that box seems to be Monta
Vista. If you have a problem with the way it works or is distributed,
write to them. Url: http://www.mvista.com/. Kits are available from:
http://www.mvista.com/previewkit/ This is a commercial firm that
provides advanced linux development packages.
Here are a couple of links on embedded linux:
http://lwn.net/Articles/17953/
Picture player ? Axis single chip embedded linux (is that *bundling*) or
not ? Much more at linuxdevices.com . Just to cool you off: 1 dozen
phones powered by linux:
http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT9423084269.html
I have no connection with ECI or Monta Vista.
Peter
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