Is this a GPL violation case?

[David A. Desrosiers]

On Mon, 2007-05-14 at 23:11 +0200, Torsten Schlabach wrote:
> > yes, any derivative of linux is equally covered
>  > by the terms of the GPL
> 
> Wouldn't that mean that there can never be any closed-source software on 
> top of Linux? 

Of course not. VMware, Oracle, and hundreds of commercial applications
run on top of Linux, and are not covered by the GPL. 

> So are they only obliged to provide the source (or whatever) to someone 
> who has purchased their product? They are not oblidged to make it 
> publicly available or at least to anyone who asks?

That is correct. However, if you purchase it, YOU can put the GPL source
up for download on your public website, without any repurcussions from
the original company that sold it to you. 

> How would one ask "officially" enough?

"Hi, I'm a customer of your product, purchased on <date>. I'd like to
see the GPL source code you've used in the following components in your
application." 

> And also, who would I have to ask in case I am buying the product from a 
> channel partner? The manufacturer or the vendor?

Not third-parties, just ask the original company directly. 


-- 
David A. Desrosiers - desrod at gnu-designs.com 
"There are four boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, 
ballot, jury and ammo. Use in that order. Starting now."