Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
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Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
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Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#2Full legal text of the complaint:
https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-...
Press kit:
https://shoestring.agency/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SFC_Pre...
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#3Full legal text of the complaint: https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-... Press kit: https://shoestring.agency/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SFC_Pre...
Full legal text of the complaint:
https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-...
Paragraphs 37 and 38 list the relevant software packages. Strangely the PDF is a scan. The OCR / embedded text isn't complete so there are some parts missing below...
37. Among the computer programs that comprise SmartCast are a number of programs 15 subject to the GPLv2:
(a) The Linux kernel. A kernel is the heart of an operating system, which all computerized devices, like smart TV s, require in order to function. The Linux kernel is one of the most popular operating system kernels.
(b) alsa-utils, which is a suite of programs that assist and manage ALSA, Linux's audio subsystem.
(c) GNU bash, which is a " shell," a program that allows users to interface with the operating system and is required for most operating systems.
(d) GNU awk, which is a popular scripting language with many uses.
(e) bluez, which is a suite of programs that assist and manage Bluetooth for Linux ased devices.
(f) BusyBox, which is a popular "thin footprint" suite of utilities for Linux.
(g) coreutils, which is a popular suite of utilities for Linux, with a larger "footprint" than BusyBox
38. Among the computer programs that comprise SmartCast are a number of programs subject to the LGPLv2.1:
(a) The GNU C Library, which is a library of resources that allows Linux users to program in the popular C and C++ programming languages. It would be required for any Linux14 based operating system that wished to take advantage of these popular programming languages.
(b)
(c)
(d) hardware.
(e) ffmpeg, which is a suite of libraries for handling audio, video, and multimedia. glib, which is a library that facilitates programming in C. DirectFB, which is a library that allows Linux-based systems to work with video libasound, which is a library that helps third-party programs interact with ALSA, Linux's audio subsystem.
(f) libelf, which is a library for reading and modifying binary files.
(g)
(h) file systems.
(i) libgcrypt, which is a C programming library of encryption functions and utilities. libmount, which is a library that helps third-party programs interact with Linux libnl, which is a suite of libraries related to using netlink, a popular network communication protocol.
(j) selinux libraries, which help third-party programs interact with selinux.
(k) systemd, which is a large system that manages, organizes and handles shutdown and restarting of system services on a Linux-based system.
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#4An especially novel aspect of this lawsuit, quoting the press release:
> This approach makes it the first legal case that focuses on the rights of individual consumers as third-party beneficiaries of the GPL.
> “That’s what makes this litigation unique and historic in terms of defending consumer rights,” says Karen M. Sandler, the organization’s executive director.
In the past, GPL enforcement has been a cause of action brought by the copyright holder. This suit is on behalf of users, as beneficiaries of the GPL. If this suit is successful, it'll no longer be necessary to prove sufficient standing as a copyright holder of GPLed code in order to enforce the license; it'll suffice to show that you're a user who wishes to make use of the rights provided under the license.
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#5An especially novel aspect of this lawsuit, quoting the press release: > This approach makes it the first legal case that focuses on the rights of individual consumers as third-party beneficiaries of the GPL. > “That’s what makes this litigation unique and historic in terms of defending consumer rights,” says Karen M. Sandler, the organization’s executive director. In the past, GPL enforcement has been a cause of act…
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Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#6Full legal text of the complaint: https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-... Press kit: https://shoestring.agency/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SFC_Pre...
Full legal text of the complaint: https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-... Paragraphs 37 and 38 list the relevant software packages. Strangely the PDF is a scan. The OCR / embedded text isn't complete so there are some parts missing below... 37. Among the computer programs that comprise SmartCast are a number of programs 15 subject to the GPLv2: (a) The Linux kernel. A kernel is the heart of an…
Good point that Linux kernel is GPL - how can companies sell products with an embedded Linux then? They don't seem to be publishing sources.
Basically anything IoT more advanced than a thermometer seems to be running Linux.
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#7An especially novel aspect of this lawsuit, quoting the press release: > This approach makes it the first legal case that focuses on the rights of individual consumers as third-party beneficiaries of the GPL. > “That’s what makes this litigation unique and historic in terms of defending consumer rights,” says Karen M. Sandler, the organization’s executive director. In the past, GPL enforcement has been a cause of act…
Gplv2 violations are widespread, we need much much more enforcement and more copyleft software, and this could be a huge win. Free software's main purpose should not be to be proprietarized, too much of it now is a group effort among companies to more efficiently lure users to trade their freedom for functionality.
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Full legal text of the complaint: https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-... Paragraphs 37 and 38 list the relevant software packages. Strangely the PDF is a scan. The OCR / embedded text isn't complete so there are some parts missing below... 37. Among the computer programs that comprise SmartCast are a number of programs 15 subject to the GPLv2: (a) The Linux kernel. A kernel is the heart of an…
Good point that Linux kernel is GPL - how can companies sell products with an embedded Linux then? They don't seem to be publishing sources. Basically anything IoT more advanced than a thermometer seems to be running Linux.
The Software Freedom Conservancy has a page on exactly this:
https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/firmware-liber...
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#9You would think that if Vizio was hijacking code from GPL'd sources, their firmware on TVs would be better.
Re: Software Freedom Conservancy files GPL lawsuit against Vizio
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
Full legal text of the complaint: https://sfconservancy.org/docs/conservancy-v-vizio-original-... Paragraphs 37 and 38 list the relevant software packages. Strangely the PDF is a scan. The OCR / embedded text isn't complete so there are some parts missing below... 37. Among the computer programs that comprise SmartCast are a number of programs 15 subject to the GPLv2: (a) The Linux kernel. A kernel is the heart of an…
Good point that Linux kernel is GPL - how can companies sell products with an embedded Linux then? They don't seem to be publishing sources. Basically anything IoT more advanced than a thermometer seems to be running Linux.
Technically the GPLv2 only requires you to provide source on request from someone who received the binaries, it doesn't require companies to proactively publish it. I think the GPLv3 changes this slightly