From: "Scott Lockwood" <lkml@lrsehosting.com>
To: "=?iso-8859-1?Q?'J=E9r=F4me_Petazzoni'?=" <jp@enix.org>,
       <linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org>
Subject: RE: Possible GPL infringement in Broadcom-based routers
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 22:05:47 -0600
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I work for lawyers. Let me know if you would like a referral.

Regards,=20
Scott Lockwood=20

-----Original Message-----
From: linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org
[mailto:linux-kernel-owner@vger.kernel.org] On Behalf Of J=E9r=F4me
Petazzoni
Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2004 5:34 PM
To: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Possible GPL infringement in Broadcom-based routers


The following routers (and they might be other models, too) :
- Us Robotics 9105 (without wireless) and 9106 (with wireless)
- Siemens SE515
- Dynalink RTA230
- Buffalo WMR-G54
- Inventel DBW-200

... are all based on the same Broadcom chipset (96345 board). They=20
integrate a 4-ports Ethernet switch, a 802.11g wireless access point,=20
and a DSL modem (and doing routing and/or bridging between those=20
interfaces). The CPU runs the MIPS32 instruction set. It runs a 2.4.17=20
linux-mips kernel with additional patches, and is loaded with a lot of=20
free software (busybox, uclibc, zebra...)

The vendors (probably Broadcom, in fact) had to patch the kernel to=20
support the DSL modem, the wireless interface (which is a PCMCIA-hosted=20
BCM4306 ; which already was subject of heated debates earlier), and also

some generic stuff like the flash memory and the front leds.=20
Miscellaneous vendors provide so-called "GPL sources", which are=20
generally mutilated kernels, lacking all the "interesting" parts=20
(wireless and DSL drivers for instance).

Can Broadcom and the vendors "escape" the obligations of the GPL by=20
shipping those proprietary drivers as modules, or are they violating the

GPL plain and simple by removing the related source code (and showing=20
irrelevant code to show "proof of good will") ?

Broadcom has been contacted about this matter but hasn't answered so=20
far, nor did US Robotics (I tried to contact USR since I own a USR
router).

Any suggestions about the legal (or if it's a lost cause, technical!)=20
ways to get support for this platform will be very welcome.

More information can be found here :
http://skaya.enix.org/wiki/GplInfringement (some extra details)
http://skaya.enix.org/wiki/BroadCom96345 (technical info that I gathered

about the router, firmware and kernel formats, etc.)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/brcm6345-linux/ (sourceforge project)

Best regards,
J=E9r=F4me Petazzoni <jp at enix dot org>
PS: please be kind and cc me, as my lkml awareness is limited to KT ...
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