[hackerspaces] Pirating Linux

[Yvan Janssens]

I'm just thinking over here:

Is it possible to retreive the GPL part from the manufacturer, and extract
the required binaries out of the device, to use them on the same device?

Yvan

2012/4/3 Matt Joyce <matt at nycresistor.com>

> The broadcom SOCs tend NOT to be open source.  While linux the kernel
> and probably their wrt ripoff os is likely covered by the GPL or some
> similar license... the broadcoms require proprietary binaries to
> operate.
>
> Thus lack of general support existing in openwrt or dd-wrt.
>
> This likely could have caused them some confusion.
>
> Fonera's 2.0n models for instance are broadcom... and they release a
> fully buildable openwrty derivative.   But they cannot release source
> for working with the broadcom SOC.
>
> Such is life.
>
> Also this could be a point of confusion for the manufacturer.  And in
> defense of your cable company... they probably literally don't know
> it's linux under the hood.  They are just white labeling and reselling
> another vendors product.
>
> Ignorance may not be an excuse but it's sometimes hard to catch things
> like this.
>
> -Matt
>
> On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 3:47 PM, Yvan Janssens <ik at yvanj.me> wrote:
> > It's this one:
> > http://www.adbglobal.com/products/cable/cable-europe/adb-5723cx.html ,
> but
> > rebranded.
> >
> > Apparently they do offer GPL
> > code:
> http://www.adbglobal.com/medias/files/support_files/how%20to%20receive%20the%20code.png
> >
> > Will mail them now, thanks ;-).
> >
> > The only thing I still have my doubts on, is the packaging. The package
> > should contain a GPL notice, and instructions on how and where to find
> the
> > source code.
> >
> > Yvan
> >
> >
> > 2012/4/3 Stef <stefvd at gmail.com>
> >>
> >> The point of having an opensource *license* is that companies have to
> >> accept it, if they dont they are indeed pirating open source, even if
> >> that sounds a bit silly at first glance.
> >>
> >> It is most likely not something your ISP has much influence on, even
> >> if they want to cooperate with you to resolve this issue. You should
> >> contact the set top box manufacturer i guess.
> >>
> >> regards,
> >>
> >> Stef
> >>
> >> On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:30 AM, Yvan Janssens <ik at yvanj.me> wrote:
> >> > Hello,
> >> >
> >> > Today I discovered that the major ISP over here uses GPL'ed software
> in
> >> > their set top boxes, without even putting a GPL notice in the box
> (like
> >> > most
> >> > TV manufacturers do nowadays). I phoned their customer service, and
> they
> >> > "don't know" that the device runs linux (it runs "proprietary polish
> >> > software"), and know nothing about GPL notices.
> >> >
> >> > My questions are now:
> >> >
> >> > Can GPL software be pirated?
> >> > If yes, is this a form of OSS "piracy"?
> >> > How do I get them to release the source code?
> >> >
> >> > Where should I start to find a copy of the source code - the telco, or
> >> > further? The device uses a Broadcom SoC with 256MB RAM and 4MB boot
> ROM
> >> > (looks like any other set top box to me).
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Sincerely,
> >> >
> >> > Yvan Janssens
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> >
> >> > |_|0|_|   Yvan Janssens
> >> > |_|_|0|
> >> > |0|0|0|
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
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> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
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> >
> >
> >
> > --
> >
> > |_|0|_|   Yvan Janssens
> > |_|_|0|
> > |0|0|0|
> >
> >
> >
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-- 

|_|0|_|   Yvan Janssens
|_|_|0|
|0|0|0|
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