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FSF Settles Suit Against Cisco

Posted by timothy on from the good-on-them dept.

Saint Aardvark writes "The Free Software Foundation has announced that they've settled their lawsuit with Cisco (reported earlier here). In the announcement, they say that Cisco has agreed to appoint a Free Software Director for Linksys, who will report periodically to the FSF; to notify Linksys customers of their rights; and to make a monetary donation to the FSF. An accompanying blog entry explains further: 'Whenever we talk about the work we do to handle violations, we say over and over again that getting compliance with the licenses is always our top priority. The reason this is so important is not only because it provides a goal for us to reach, but also because it gives us a clear guide to choosing our tactics. This is the first time we've had to go to court over a license violation.'"

6 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Re:This is the first time we've had to go to court by jbdigriz · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is a win for Cisco as well. They get plenty of good karma, and put non-compliant competition at a disavantage. All for little or no real cost.

    The Linksys routers in question command a premium, even on the used market, precisely because of the GPL and hackability.

    Win-win, all around. Any more, Cisco and the FSF would have to get a room. Kudos on a job well done.

  2. If you act now by huckamania · · Score: 4, Funny

    You get a Free Software Director.

    Disclaimer: Free Software Director is not 'free', nor 'software'.

    1. Re:If you act now by Amazing+Quantum+Man · · Score: 2, Funny

      With purchase of a second Software Director. *

      * Free Software Director must be of equal or lesser value than the purchased Software Director. Limited to supplies on hand. Offer void where prohibited.

      --
      Fascism starts when the efficiency of the government becomes more important than the rights of the people.
  3. Surprised this wasn't mentioned by biggerboy · · Score: 2, Funny

    John Chambers is now required to grow a neckbeard.

  4. Re:Freedom by InMSWeAntitrust · · Score: 2, Funny

    It seems BadAnalogyGuy has a second account.

    I kid, I kid.

  5. Re:FSFAA! by inode_buddha · · Score: 2, Funny

    You may wish to start studying copyright law. The GPL was the only license that Cisco had to the software, hence they have to abide by it. In other words, its the principle of the thing that matters, not the money. Meanwhile, you may wish to consider joining these guys.

    --
    C|N>K