Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S262192AbTFKR07 (ORCPT ); Wed, 11 Jun 2003 13:26:59 -0400 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S263131AbTFKR07 (ORCPT ); Wed, 11 Jun 2003 13:26:59 -0400 Received: from grieg.holmsjoen.com ([206.124.139.154]:49932 "EHLO grieg.holmsjoen.com") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S262192AbTFKR05 (ORCPT ); Wed, 11 Jun 2003 13:26:57 -0400 Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 10:39:36 -0700 From: Randolph Bentson To: Adrian Bunk Cc: Linux Kernel Mailing List Subject: Re: Linksys WRT54G and the GPL Message-ID: <20030611103936.A29520@grieg.holmsjoen.com> References: <20030609213321.GP16164@fs.tum.de> <20030609222141.GS16164@fs.tum.de> <20030610131730.A26932@grieg.holmsjoen.com> <20030611153845.GA16164@fs.tum.de> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline User-Agent: Mutt/1.2.5.1i In-Reply-To: <20030611153845.GA16164@fs.tum.de>; from bunk@fs.tum.de on Wed, Jun 11, 2003 at 05:38:45PM +0200 Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Content-Length: 2404 Lines: 51 On Wed, Jun 11, 2003 at 05:38:45PM +0200, Adrian Bunk wrote: > You definitely don't need physical possession of the written offer. > Otherwise 3c wouldn't work. You cannot mix the terms of clauses 3a, 3b, and 3c. The "written offer" is only an element of clause 3b. A significant point which seems to be glossed over is that the distributor is the entity which selects which of these clauses, 3a, 3b, or 3c, is to be exercised to satisfy the GPL. Each places a different obligation on the distributor. If the distributor elects to distribute the object code or executable form under clause 3a, the distributor need only distribute copies of the source to the recipients of the object code or executable form. If the distributor elects to distribute the object code or executable form under clause 3b, one might reasonably argue that the distributor need only distribute the source to those third parties in possession of the written offer which must be included. Others may argue that this clause requires that the distributor make the source available to everyone, but even then the distributor is not obliged to put it on the web and the distributor may charge for the distribution cost. If the distributor elects to distribute the object code or executable form under clause 3c, and is qualified to do so, the distributor need only distribute the information to those who receive the object code or executable form. The distributor is not obliged to give this information to everyone. Of course, once anyone has a copy of this source, it may be further distributed under sections 1, 2, or 3. I'd like to see Linksys elect to distribute under clause 3b by putting a note in each box with a pointer to source files which everyone can fetch from their web site. (I believe that web based distribution qualifies as "a medium customarily used for software interchange" cited in 3b and that they can simply absorb the cost of this method of distribution.) Recent news suggests that this will be the case. Let's hope that they, and other such distributors of embedded GPL based systems, follow this course. -- Randolph Bentson bentson@holmsjoen.com - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/