Exploitation of Open Source VoIP

n8twj writes " With John 'Maddog' Hall pointing out that Open Source VoIP will be bigger than Linux ever has been. How can we be sure that un-ethical companies will not try to steal code that is covered under the GPL and try to pass it off as their own? Recently, I have become aware that SysMaster has been redistrbuting a version of the Asterisk PBX written by Mark Spencer from Digium and many others. SysMaster claims that they wrote everything in-house, while they have surely done their own development, they are using Asterisk to power their product line without following the rules. In terms of full disclosure, my company also provides Asterisk-based solutions, however we have fully embraced Asterisk and gladly contribute back to the GPL."

Comments

Let the Copyright Holder Handle It

[Noksagt]

Please follow this advice: gather what details you can & notify whoever holds the copyright on the GPLed software you believe is being abused.

Well, it looks

[mcc]

It looks like the Asterisk mailing list is already aware of this.

Re:Well, it looks

[Anonymous Coward]

Specifically, Marc Spencer of Digium is aware of the issue and has commented on it.

not all of them ...

[TheLibero]

i work for a networking bluechip, and here they have been working in a project to clean their code (or code coming from OEM's) from any GPL-kind of code; and if that's not possible they will be marking the code clearly for public as an open source code. the legal department have been pushing this so hard!

Re:Umm.. Proof?

[tyler_larson]

Where's the evidence? Or did slashdot just post this without checking?

The evidence is gleaned from viewing the "strings" output of a SysMaster executable. You find such gems as

Asterisk CVS-05/30/03-20:39:27, Copyright (C) 1999-2001 Linux Support Services, Inc.
Written by Mark Spencer <markster@linux-support.net>

Of course, this evidence was compiled by NuFone (a contributer to Asterisk), so you can choose to disbelieve it if you want. But if you want to verify its veracity on your own and post your results, I'm sure that would be OK.

And for the lazy among you:

[cbr2702]

There seems to be some confusion here so I would like to make a few brief comments and will likely not add much to this thread other than these few things:

1) Digium *does* license Asterisk (as we distribute it, no additional features) outside of GPL and we *do* have commercial licensees already.

2) Digium appreciates the community keeping a watchful eye on other products in the marketplace which may be in violation of Asterisk's licensing terms. Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any concerns or questions.

3) I do not wish to comment specifically about Sysmaster's relationship with Digium at this time other than to say we are in contact with them.

Thank you again for all of your support in the community.

Mark

Re:What a load of old cobblers!

[mcc]

Your point (1) is faulty. Linux may be Asterisk's primary platform but since it's open source you are just as free to go ahead and run it on, say, BSD or Solaris or Mac OS X. Meanwhile ports to more esoteric platforms are certainly an option, and it's already possible to run it on Windows if you have compatibility layer software. Linux will probably be the most likely platform to benefit from Asterisk being popular, but Asterisk definitely has potential outside of Linux.