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Exploitation of Open Source VoIP

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hate-when-that-happens dept.

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."

6 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. Let the Copyright Holder Handle It by Noksagt · · Score: 5, Informative

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

  2. Is it possible... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is it possible they are using Asterisk? yeah I dont see why not Asterisk is a Great Product, but like mySQL, Asterisk does offer a commercial NON-GPL license.

    It could be possible that they paid for a NON-GPL'd Version that they used as a base.

  3. Well, it looks by mcc · · Score: 5, Informative

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

    --
    Irritable, left-wing and possibly humorous bumper stickers and t-shirts
    1. Re:Well, it looks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

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

  4. Re:lobby your government officials by Otter · · Score: 5, Insightful
    In fact, I suggest that FSF and others lobby the government to have open source licenses registeres with an agency. Any software released under a registered license will have that license protected by the government. The simple establishment of the rules should scare most out of eploitation.

    Yeah, I propose calling it "copyright" and setting up a US Copyright Office to enforce it.

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  5. Easy solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How can we be sure that un-ethical companies will not try to steal code that is covered under the GPL

    Easy - just keep backups. That way, if somebody steals your code, you still have it.

    Oh... wait. Did you mean copyright infringement and not theft? When the RIAA and MPAA start talking about those nasty thieves, people are quick to point out that copyright infringement is not theft.

    Double-standards stink. When somebody infringes upon the GPL, it's not theft, so don't exaggerate your grievance or accuse the other party of crimes they didn't commit. It just makes you look like a whiny liar and doesn't help your case.