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Best Buy, Samsung, And Westinghouse Named In SFLC Suit Today

Best Buy, Samsung, And Westinghouse Named In SFLC Suit Today

Posted Dec 14, 2009 19:39 UTC (Mon) by yokem_55 (subscriber, #10498)
Parent article: Best Buy, Samsung, And Westinghouse Named In SFLC Suit Today

At first I was confused as to why Worst Buy was named in the suit, as typically retailers reselling a piece of a equipment aren't the targets of GPL violation actions (although I suppose in theory they can be, even as mere conduits?). After taking a look at the suit, it looks like BB has a Best Buy branded Blue Ray player that is in violation, so the typical GPL violation situation applies. However, it will be interesting to see if going forwared, BB pushes its product vendors to be more proactive about avoiding violations so as to keep BB from getting into this situation.


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Best Buy, Samsung, And Westinghouse Named In SFLC Suit Today

Posted Dec 14, 2009 20:20 UTC (Mon) by pr1268 (subscriber, #24648) [Link]

Perhaps Best (Worst) Buy is named because their house brands' products (e.g. Insignia) contain GPL code. Just a thought...

Best Buy, Samsung, And Westinghouse Named In SFLC Suit Today

Posted Dec 15, 2009 3:54 UTC (Tue) by jmm82 (guest, #59425) [Link]

This section from the GPLv2(last sentence) would exclude distributor channels
from the initial charges as long as they comply once notified they were
middle men for an evil ring of code smugglers.

"4. You may not copy, modify, sublicense, or distribute the Program except as
expressly provided under this License. Any attempt otherwise to copy, modify,
sublicense or distribute the Program is void, and will automatically
terminate your rights under this License. However, parties who have received
copies, or rights, from you under this License will not have their licenses
terminated so long as such parties remain in full compliance."

Yet, it appears in this case a subdivision of Best Buy was actually creating
the product.

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