GPL Violation - BT Home Hub

Paul Banks maillistaddress at paulbanks.org
Sun Dec 9 17:16:01 CET 2007


Hi, 

This router (http://www.bt.com/homehub) is provided by BT (a major UK
telco) and runs a Linux kernel with many other GPL'd components. As a
token gesture, BT have provided a limited release of some GPL'd code
here:

http://www.btyahoo.com/broadband/adhoc_pages/gplcode.html  

1) Crucially, they have not provided the scripts required for
installation of modified firmware which, as I understand it, is a
condition of distributing GPL'd code and is particularly relevant for
embedded devices.  

2) On their firmware upgrade page
(http://btopenworld.com/broadband/adhoc_pages/hub_firmware.html) they
offer a newer version of the firmware than is present on the GPL
download page. The download contains no indication that the firmware
contains GPL licensed code, nor does it contain a written offer for the
source code. 

I would like to put my own firmware on this device and as they have
used Linux this should be made possible. If this is indeed a violation,
how should I proceed?  

Kind regards,  

Paul





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