fun with GPL

Jamon Camisso jamon.camisso-H217xnMUJC0sA/PxXw9srA at public.gmane.org
Thu Sep 6 03:02:50 UTC 2007


D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
> | From: Tyler Aviss <tjaviss-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org>
> 
> | Well, as you may have noticed I did pass along that email to the GPL
> | violations address at busybox. If anyone should be talking to them
> | about abiding the GPL it should be the owners of the software license
> | that is being violated
> 
> I told them before I mailed this TLUG list.
> 
> BTW, things get funnier, at least to me, as this progresses.
> 
> It is mentioned on /. by someone:
>   http://slashdot.org/firehose.pl?op=view&id=277903
> 
> I mentioned that fact on the Hava Forum and the Hava rep then
> commented on /. (the only comment so far).
> 
> Have a read of the new items on the Forum too.
>   http://myhava.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3439#3439
> 
> In /., the rep responded to my Forum posting.  My favourite bit:
> 
>     I am struck that one of the people giving me the most grief about
>     the GPL code doesn't even own our product. Apparently he learned
>     what he knows by downloading the software, inspecting the
>     binaries, and since he didn't actually ever install the software,
>     he didn't have to view/accept the EULA or feel bound by its terms.
>     Interesting. Is there an official slashdot stance on that?
> 
> [He is refering to me as giving him grief.]
> 
> An official /. stance?  What a concept.
> 
> He's surprised that I don't feel bound by terms that I could not know
> about.
> 
> It's a loophole they intend to close, so download that firmware before
> it's too late! :-)
> 
> Not being allowed to "reverse engineer, disassemble or decompile" GPLed
> software seems wrong.

You might point out that using contract law to violate the preexisting 
license is unacceptable, the whole point of the GPL is that you can't 
work around it in that manner. Ask if running "strings" counts as 
reverse engineering?

Jamon
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