Possible GPL violation by humax-digital product: "i cord HD"

[ard]

On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 04:43:58PM +0200, web2001 at worldonline.de wrote:
> The support of the company says that the decison about the release of 
> the source code has not been made yet.
> But I think they must release the source code or isn't linux under the GPL?

Well, they did something wrong: They should have decided whether
or not they would use software licensed under GPL before starting
to design the box.
Because the moment they decided to use linux, they actually
decided that they *will* ship source code with any modifications
that were necessary to run the software on that box.

By not releasing the source code (not abiding to the license they
got actually means they have no license), they have no right to
distribute the software, hence they sell you illegally software,
as if they were selling you illegal copies of microsoft XP.
In other terms: it makes them a software pirate with commercial
interest.

The distribution of the binaries should be accompanied by the
source code, or a waiver for the source code or instructions how
to get the source code from the interwebs for the next 3 years.

Distribution of binaries can be done by selling the box, or just
deliver a firmware upgrade on the site.