[hackerspaces] Pirating Linux

[John de Largentaye]

Sometimes yes. That's how many Android mods get started.

On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 4:15 PM, Yvan Janssens <ik at yvanj.me> wrote:
> 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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>> > --
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>> > |_|0|_|   Yvan Janssens
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> --
>
> |_|0|_|   Yvan Janssens
> |_|_|0|
> |0|0|0|
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