Earlier quoted context omitted.
See the blog post, the GPLv2 goes further than what you suggest.
So if my Toyota head unit has FOSS they can provide that source code to me if I ask?
https://www.denso.com/global/en/opensource/ivi/toyota/Ask HN: Tips for hacking a TV?
71–75 of 75 posts
Re: Ask HN: Tips for hacking a TV?
#72[flagged]
What is legally complex about hacking your own TV that you own, in the comfort of your own home? The device and all its components are yours.
If Samsung or anyone else wants to tell people their TVs are licenses/rentals or some corporate delusions like that, they are welcome to lose in court(s).
Re: Ask HN: Tips for hacking a TV?
#73First step would be to contact Samsung and ask for the Linux kernel and other open source code for your TV. Without it you won't be able to replace the original OS properly. Also mention to them that they have to allow you to update Linux on the TV or they have to stop using Linux on their TVs. https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2021/mar/25/install-gplv2/
And how many times has this worked?
Many times. OpenWRT is the most prominent example. Apart from SFC, in Germany, Harald Welte at gpl-violations.org was enforcing the GPL too for several years.
Re: Ask HN: Tips for hacking a TV?
#74This is probably obvious, but so important that I feel it's worth saying: do not connect it to the internet! The last thing you want right now is up-to-date software, and chances are very good that if it goes online it will update its software and install all the latest security patches. You will need to connect it to a network in order to scan it for vulnerabilities, but make that a network that has no internet acce…
That's probably rare but I had a no name TV which just let me just enable adb over network with full root access. IIRC I had to install an app that can launch arbitrary activities so I could access the buildin Android settings menu instead of the crippled TV settings UI.
Re: Ask HN: Tips for hacking a TV?
#75It's fun reading all that posts about dangerous caps, dangerous flyback transformers...
Those fears, and your findings I can read - were/are something normal in my world. I was paid to do that. But faked technology advance, ruined service techicians job. And now mices take over... So you have it. Deal with it. And be afraid - be very afraid :)