Possible GPL violation in Avantis Content Cache servers

[Malcolm Bain]

Hi Tony

Interesting analysis - just a couple of quick "off the cuff" comments on 
a Monday morning...
-- you say "/As wget is used as the mirroring and pre-caching system, it 
is an integral part of the appliance. It cannot be used separately from 
the rest of the product (as there is no command line interface)wget is 
an integral part of the appliance" / If this is so,  this would seem to 
oblige Avantis to distribute all the package (in so far as any part 
cannot be considered a "separate independent work") under the GPL. The 
same may apply for Setacl - though I don't know the system architecture.
-- It is not a question of whether wget or setacl work as independent 
programs from ContentCache - it is the other way round: if ContentCache 
doesn't work without these two programs (or other GPL software), there 
would be strong arguments to say that they are not independent and 
therefore should all fall under the GPL...
-- if I remember correctly, the OpenSSL license and the GPL are  
incompatible (publicity obligations of the OPenSSL - I think it is under 
the old BSD)  (and I think they say/said so on their FAQ page and so 
soes FSF - I haven't looked recently) (PS. Is OpenSSL distributed as 
part of the operating system? Doesn't sound like it ..., otherwise they 
may fall under that exception)
-- Do you have legal access to the software and right to republish the 
manual (you don't want to get into any "illegal/legal"  decompiling  / 
redistribution arguments)?

There are probably more issues, but these are just some preliminary 
thoughts. The issue that the whole "appliance" may have to be under the 
GPL may be more "damaging" or worrying for them that smaller (?) issues 
of not publishing source code and licenses for free software component 
parts.

Regards
Malcolm
(IAAL, but TINLA! :) )

Tony Whitmore wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'd like to request the list's feedback on the evidence that I've
> collected (with assistance) that shows GPL software in use in a
> propriatory web caching system, especially marketed at schools here in
> the UK. Specifically the software including GNU wget and the "setacl"
> program. (There is also evidence of breach of other Open Source
> licences.) I have collated the notes at:
>
> http://tonywhitmore.co.uk/misc/avantis/evidence.html
>
> I've not approached the company myself as I wanted confirmation that I
> have sufficient and appropriate evidence collected. I will do so if it
> is felt that we have enough. Should I look to collect any further
> evidence before approaching them and if so of what type?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Tony Whitmore
>   

-- 
mbain at legistics.net
610256539
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