ASUS Violation?

[Francois Beerten]

Joshua J. Kugler wrote:

>On Tuesday 26 September 2006 03:48, Francois Beerten wrote:
>  
>
>>>Actually, I am running OpenWRT's firmware right now.  The question was not
>>>which was the best firmware, but whether Asus was complying.  Even if I
>>>don't intend to use Asus's firmware, I'd like to keep them honest. :)
>>>
>>>j
>>>      
>>>
>>Asus complies with the GPL for the firmware for their routers. They
>>didn't wait till people complain to do it unlike some other companies.
>>
>>When i bought a WL500gx router, i was surprised to find all the source
>>code on the included CD.
>>
>>They even distrubute the source code on their web site:
>>http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=WL-500
>>g%20Deluxe
>>
>>Of course, if you search the  gpl-violations mailing lists instead of
>>the Asus CD or website, ...
>>    
>>
>
>The CD contains nothing besides the Utilities installer, and the web site only 
>offers a download link for the firmware, not the source.  This is the wl-500G 
>Premium.  You're right in stating that the Deluxe has source code available 
>on the web site, but the Premium does not.
>
>j
>  
>
Indeed, the website does not provide the source code for the Premium. On 
the other hand, i haven't found any firmware for the Premium on the web 
site. In that case, there's no distribution and thus no violation.

The code embedded in the device can be GPL'd. But i'm afraid embedded 
code does not count as distribution. Asus can make the code available if 
they wish, but they don't have the obligation.


Francois.