GPL Compliance Engineering Delves Into the Inner Life of Embedded Devices
Dutch Linux consultant Armijn Hemel clarifies in his recently issued GPL Compliance Engineering Guide how to check for GPL breaches of electronic devices.
Hemel works for Loohuis Consulting, a company that focuses primarily on licensing violations. The company targets vendors that want to ensure their products' compliance. Hemel is also an honorary participant in the GPL Violations project that represents the rights of software authors in respect to their device vendors. The project has already successfully represented clients in suits against router vendors that violated Linux Kernel licensing provisions.
In the 26-page PDF document Hemel describes the technical part of GPL Compliance Engineering, from portscanning with nmap, bootloader analysis, data systems and firmware, to getting physical access to the device’s serial console. A small section of the document covers devices with a Windows inner life often involving the GPL-licensed Cygwin program.
Hemel includes short words of warning at the outset: "Some things described in this guide might not be legal due to DMCA(like) legislation in your country." Developers in the U.S., for example, might run into conflict with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Hemel also contemplates the reasons behind some of these Open Source licensing violations. He cites the fiercely competitive consumer electronics business, where companies can become lax in checking for, and keeping to, license provisions, with many preferring to risk a lawsuit than miss a sale.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
A very levelheaded down-to-earth report
His testing recommendations, while certainly not shocking or surprising, are irrefutable, show strong commonsense, and absolutely the first steps one should take.
Good work!