SFLC Files Lawsuit Against 14 Companies for GPL Violations
Attorneys at the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) have filed a lawsuit against 14 electronics companies for copyright infringements. The suit accuses the companies of selling products containing BusyBox software in violation of the GPL.
Among the devices are Blu Ray DVDs from Best Buy, Samsung HDTVs, a 52-inch LCD Television from Westinghouse and more than a dozen other products. According to the SFLC, manufacturers of these products are using the multi-functional binary BusyBox contrary to conditions outlined in GPLv2. These conditions usually include a GPL disclaimer and the release of the source code upon request.
The SFLC attorneys in this case represent BusyBox developer and copyright-holder Erik Andersen and the Software Freedom Conservancy, an organization consisting of developers and free software projects.
The SFLC claim defendants refused requests for cooperation and the lawsuit was filed as a last resort. A (PDF copy of the complaint can be found online.
The mass suit is the largest action the SFLC has ever taken in GPL matters. In Germany, the Netfilter/Iptables developer, Harald Welte, has repeatedly enforced GPL conditions upon router manufacturers.
Comments
comments powered by Disqus
Issue 247/2021
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Armbian 21.05 Now Available
The Armbian developers have released the latest update to the Debian-based Linux distribution geared for ARM and embedded devices.
-
StarLabs has Released Another Linux Laptop
A new 14" Linux laptop has been released by the company that created the 11" Star Lite and can be purchased with your choice of Linux distribution.
-
Ubuntu 21.04 Adds Support for Active Directory and Other Major Changes
In a bid to help make Linux more viable for the business desktop, Canonical adds support for Active Directory and a few other notable changes.
-
GNOME 40 Available on openSUSE
The rolling release edition of openSUSE, Tumbleweed, now offers the latest version of the GNOME desktop.
-
Apple M1 Hardware Support to be Merged into Linux Kernel 5.13
Linux users will be able to install their favorite distribution on Apple’s M1-based hardware.
-
KDE Launches the Qt 5 Patch Collection
To support and maintain a stable Qt 5 for KDE Gears and Frameworks, KDE will maintain a patch collection.
-
Linux Creator Warns Next Kernel Could be Delayed
Linus Torvalds has issued concern about the size of kernel 5.12 and possible delays for its release.
-
System76 Updates its Pangolin Laptop
System76 has released a much-anticipated AMD version of their most popular laptop, the Pangolin.
-
New Debian-Based Distribution Arrives on the Market
TelOS is a new Debian-based Linux distribution with a customized, touch-screen-ready KDE Plasma 5 desktop.
-
System76 Releases New Thelio Desktop
One of the most ardent supporters of open source hardware has released a new desktop machine for home or office.
Re:Bruce Perens' Weblog: Statement on Busybox Lawsuits
http://perens.com/blog/2009/12/15/23/
Bruce Perens' Weblog: Statement on Busybox Lawsuits