Epson Pulls Linux Software Following GPL Violations

ChrisWong writes "GPL violations has caused Epson to yank their free downloads of their ImageScan! and Photo Image Print System software for Linux. While one can use xsane instead of their ImageScan! software, the latter is easier to use and produces subjectively more attractive output."

Comments

I'm confused...

[gblues]

Are we supposed to be mad at the Evil Corporation(tm) for violating the GPL, or dancing in the streets because Epson is taking proactive steps to remedy said GPL violations? Please, Slashdot, tell me how I'm supposed to think!

Nathan

Re:I'm confused...

[aardvarkjoe]

Well, I'm doing the latter, but I'd bet that 70% of the posts on this subject are going to be the former. So if you want to go with the majority, I'd make some nasty remark about Epson in a hurry.

Re:I'm confused...

[gblues]

Okay, how's this: I hate Epson! I bought their Perfection 1250U and have had ZERO PROBLEMS WITH IT!! What kind of self-resepecting company makes products that are easy to install and use?

I DEMAND SHODDY WORKMANSHIP!

Nathan

Re:They had to do it -- Here's why:

[dmp123]

Ooh look! A real live Microsoft astroturfer... Nice one.... Hah - it makes me laugh to read it! They say "The GPL is a complicated agreement" - have you ever read the never ending Microsoft EULA? David

GPL

[StormReaver]

From: S.B.
To: B.G.
Subject: New FUD Needed

I'm agonized to have to inform you that the usual anti-GPL FUD we've been foistering upon the world has once again been discredited. Epson corporation was found to have violated the GPL in the company's Linux based proprietary scanning application, and had merely to remove the offending code from the application. Unfortunately for us, no FSF lawsuit was filed to force Epson to give away its I.P. as we've been claiming for some time would happen in cases of GPL violations. Those damned hippies just politely asked Epson to correct the situation.

We should wake up the slugs...err...public relations department and have them think up new anti-GPL lies...err...messages.

******************

On a serious note, this is exactly how companies -should- act when found to be violating the GPL. Just admit that it happened, correct the violation, and everyone is happy. Nobody gets sued, the company gets a round of applause for playing nice, and life goes on. Congratulations Epson! You're a model of corporate integrity.

Re:Firstly, Epson is good people, in my experience

[evilviper]

but I'd give them the benefit of the doubt, and call them innocent unless proven guilty.

It's strange to note that 'innocent until proven guilty' is so uncommon on slashdot that it needs to be explicitly mentioned.

Scanning Linus?

[tpv]

anyone else that wanted to use an epson scanner on Linus

Which of his body parts would they want to scan?

...actually, on second thoughts, don't answer that.

Re:the page has no details...

[Anonymous Coward]

"...a while ago they asked me if I would have any objections to them taking my backend, modifying it (still under the GPL) and adding their own frontend to it..."

There's a gay joke in there somewhere.

Re:Agreed

[Anonymous Coward]

Ha! You and everyone else on /. has fallen for Epson's clever ruse. Here's what really happened:

Epson PR flak: "Joe, it's been five months since we've had any PR hits and now HP is wobbly with the GNU-freaks since they fired Bruce Perens. Give me something to wrap a story around."

Joe Morlock: "Well, we could do the reverse psychology thing: Create a mess and then show how good we are at cleaning it up."

Epson PR flak: "Sounds risky. Can't we just GPL a few more lines of code?"

Joe Morlock: "That's old hat these days. Nothing grabs attention on Slashdot like a GPL violation. We'll do it in a way that doesn't look creepy and then fix it in real stand-up way. The geeks will go nuts for us, you watch."

So there you have it, it's all a plot. Go buy an Epson scanner so a flak can make quota this month.