(Urgent) Consideration for an Embedded Linux device manufacturer

[Puneet Goel]

Hello All,

Need you suggestion for a device manufacturer trying to include embedded
linux in it's device.
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.


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. I am sorry for inconvenience but I need a little precise reply
because I need to convince my folks over here to create a product like that
and they may not get convinced with or understand lawyer like language.

Also when i tried to search on net, i didn't find any clear guidelines for
embedded Linux based device vendors. Saw the vendor FAQ also.
on gpl-violations.org's Source Code release FAQ page i came across the
statement given below.

-------------------------------------------------------------
  "What kind of source code do I have to publish under the GNU GPL?

The GNU GPL demands that as soon as you distribute GPL licensed software in
executable format you make available the "complete corresponding source
code". "

-------------------------------------------------------------

The above line is creating some confusion over here with my management
folks. can anyone describe little more on meaning of this line. As per my
understanding i am supposed to release the source code of only GPLed
components and not my independent proprietary components.

Thanks and Regards,

Puneet
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