Google shutting down independent Android image developers?

There are reports that Google has sent a cease-and-desist letter to CyanogenMod, perhaps the most active independent creator of alternative images for Android phones since JesusFreke left the scene. The issue would appear to be the packaging of Google's closed-source applications - things like maps, the market application, gmail, etc. That is all stuff that Android phone owners already are licensed to run. If some sort of understanding is not reached, this action could have the effect of significantly chilling outside development for Android phones. Or perhaps it will just motivate the development of free alternatives for those few applications.

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