Belkin's New Router

[Quantum Scientific]

On Tuesday 05 April 2005 8:40, Ralph Corderoy wrote:
> The `source code' should include stuff used for compilation, less what's
> covered by the exception.  By not using what's "normally distributed...
> with the... operating system" I think Belkin aren't covered by the
> exception.

Since I asked this we've learned more.   Every app in the router was compiled 
with:
"GCC: (GNU) 3.2.3 with Broadcom modifications"

These modifications are critical functions for the chipset, and every 
commercial wireless router which has the Broadcom chipset uses them, in every 
binary.  And these modifications are part and parcel of the toolchain, which 
is completely missing from the Belkin GPL distro, along with numerous other 
critical files.

We have requested this toolchain from Broadcom, not least because we'd like a 
newer release, but they rightfully refer us back to Belkin.

 
> The same para. above says "plus the scripts used to control...
> installation of the executable", i.e. they have to provide the means to
> install a modified work based on the GPL'd software.  That's the whole
> point of the GPL;  it isn't so you get the source to print out and
> peruse, it's so you get the source to modify, run your modifications,
> and distribute them to others!

Thanks, this helps confirm our case.  Positive steps to resolution are 
constructive and helpful, whereas witlessly tearing down someone's ideas 
without offering suitable alternatives (as some do) is foolish, and I 
consider it an intellectual crime.


> If, however, you're trying to overwrite some non-GPL'd code that's also
> on there, e.g. the boot-loader, then the GPL might not be of help since
> you say that the tftp route works for some things.

Actually the bootloader is PMon, which is GPL.  It is also missing from 
Belkin's source distro, and we have reason to believe it has particular 
settings, since the .trx header is incomprehensible and undocumented.  
Perhaps a Blowfish key is needed, if the TomTom case is any guide.

Best,

Carl Cook