(Urgent) Consideration for an Embedded Linux device manufacturer

[Hendrik Weimer]

"Puneet Goel" <g.puneet at gmail.com> writes:

> If i create an embedded Linux distribution (firmware) with most of the
> GPL'ed/LGPL'ed components and a single proprietary binary of mine. Do i need
> to release the source of whole distro including that of my proprietary
> binary ? Before making comments please consider that my binary is an
> independent executable.

Depends on what you mean by "independent executable". Usually you have
at least some library dependencies. If all of these libraries are
LGPLed, you may distribute your binary without supplying the
sources. However, if one single library is GPL-only, you must license
your binary under the GPL as well, meaning (among other things) you
would have to provide the sources.

> I guess this is the most common question which will go into the mind
> of any vendor who is trying to manufacture and market a product
> based on embedded Linux.

There is no difference betweeen embedded devices and other
applications.

HTH,
Hendrik