Cisco isn't malicious -- just organizationally-challenged [LWN.net]

Cisco isn't malicious -- just organizationally-challenged

Posted Dec 20, 2008 10:34 UTC (Sat) by rwmj (subscriber, #5474)
In reply to: Cisco isn't malicious -- just organizationally-challenged by shaneo
Parent article: The FSF raises the stakes for Cisco

You just have to replace GPL software with (eg) Windows CE in there to see how serious this is.

In fact, Cisco has taken HUGE strides in ensuring [Windows licensing] across Cisco-proper. However, Linksys is still held at arm's length [and continues to include unlicensed copies of Windows CE in their routers].

How many nanoseconds do you think Microsoft would have tolerated those sorts of violations? The FSF by contrast has been far more than just "patient". It has been exceptionally forgiving of something which, in the proprietary world, would have seen Cisco's offices raided repeatedly from day 1.

Cisco has saved probably hundreds of millions in licensing and support by using Linux and the GNU toolchain, and being "organizationally-challenged" is no excuse at all.

Rich.