Return-Path: Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org via listexpand id S263767AbTK2PC6 (ORCPT ); Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:02:58 -0500 Received: (majordomo@vger.kernel.org) by vger.kernel.org id S263776AbTK2PC6 (ORCPT ); Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:02:58 -0500 Received: from law12-f67.law12.hotmail.com ([64.4.19.67]:39941 "EHLO hotmail.com") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S263767AbTK2PCz (ORCPT ); Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:02:55 -0500 X-Originating-IP: [24.61.138.213] X-Originating-Email: [iainbarker@hotmail.com] From: "Iain Barker" To: benh@kernel.crashing.org Cc: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org Subject: RE: possible GPL violation by Sigma Designs EM8500 customers Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2003 10:02:54 -0500 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: X-OriginalArrivalTime: 29 Nov 2003 15:02:55.0129 (UTC) FILETIME=[DE34E890:01C3B689] Sender: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org X-Mailing-List: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org >From: Benjamin Herrenschmidt > >Just to make things clear, you should change the title of your emails >here to "possible GPL violation by Liteon". AFAIK, Sigma isn't involved >in the violation, they almost certainly provided a source code kernel >for their chipset to Liteon. > >Ben. Thanks Ben, I've modified the title of this thread to indicate it is the chipset customers who are directly at fault. However it seems that every manufacturer using the Sigma SDK is making the same error. The violation seems to be common amongst a large number (all?) Sigma Designs customers using their EM8500 chipset SDK. Liteon was the manufacturer for the product I have, but in the original thread on LKML it refers also to others. Manufacturers offering binary distributions based on Linux as 'firmware' via their support websites are the easiers to check up on. Those with no source code included for EM8500 SDK derived products include: Liteon http://www.liteonit.com LVD-1001/2001/2002 DVD player Vinc http://www.vinc.com Bravo-D1 DVD Player Kiss http://www.kiss-technology.com DP-450, DP-500 DVD player Neodigits http://www.neodigits.com NeuNeo DVD player Dream-X http://www.dreamsat-electronics.com 108 DVD player Elta http://www.elta.de 8882 DVD player RiMax http://www.rimax.net MPEG4 DVD player The above is not a comprehensive list, just the ones currently distributing binary-only GPL products on their support websites with no mention of Linux or the GPL. Other manufacturers with products using the EM8500 SDK may well do the same within their product, including: Woxter Momitsu Brainwave Cosmic Digital Jamo Link Concept Mustek Neuston Shenzhen Skywood Xoro As you can see, the violation is widespread. I don't have the time to follow up on all of these, and in any case I am really only interested in being able to recompile kernel for the Liteon product which I own. But it does seem like a bigger problem as the Linux GPL license is being broadly ignored by embedded manufacturers. regards, Iain _________________________________________________________________ Need a shot of Hank Williams or Patsy Cline? The classic country stars are always singing on MSN Radio Plus. Try one month free! http://join.msn.com/?page=offers/premiumradio - 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/