Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com)

Posted Apr 1, 2019 19:46 UTC (Mon) by Uraeus (guest, #33755)
In reply to: Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com) by pabs
Parent article: Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com)

All firmware on LVFS are provided by the vendors themselves, so if AltusMetrum provides the source code there is no GPL violation. I assume AltusMetrum allows you to download the source code from their website and to quote the GPL3 rules you are in compliance with the GPL if you : (2) access to copy the Corresponding Source from a network server at no charge.

Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com)

Posted Apr 1, 2019 20:58 UTC (Mon) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (2 responses)

Sorry wrong!

If as you say, provided the code is all owned by Altus Metrium, the GPL doesn't apply so it can't be violated. There is absolutely NO need whatsoever to comply with the GPL.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for the owner of the code to violate the licence - any licence. End of.

Cheers,
Wol

Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com)

Posted Apr 1, 2019 21:01 UTC (Mon) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (1 responses)

Just to add - if Altus Metrium *have* included 3rd-party GPL code in their firmware, then LVFS are violating the GPL by distributing it without source - certainly with GPL2 they can't refer to Altus' source and I'm not sure of the situation with GPL3.

Cheers,
Wol

Linux Foundation Welcomes LVFS Project (Linux.com)

Posted Apr 3, 2019 0:08 UTC (Wed) by xtifr (guest, #143) [Link]

From the GPL3 section 6d:
> "If the place to copy the object code is a network server, the Corresponding Source may be on a different server (operated by you or a third party) that supports equivalent copying facilities, provided you maintain clear directions next to the object code saying where to find the Corresponding Source. Regardless of what server hosts the Corresponding Source, you remain obligated to ensure that it is available for as long as needed to satisfy these requirements."

So LVFS must provide clear directions, and have taken on responsibility for ensuring that the source hosted by Altus Metrium remains available. But as long as they do that, I believe they should be fine--if the code is GPL3.