Checking For GPL Compliance, When the Code Is Embedded

Excerpting from ComputerWorld UK, ChiefMonkeyGrinder writes with word of what sounds like a very cool tool: "Open source software is everywhere these days. In particular, Linux is being used increasingly to power embedded systems of all kinds. That's good, but it's also a challenge, because the free software used in such products may not always be compliant with all the licences it is released under, notably the GNU GPL. For companies that sell such embedded systems using open source, it can be hard even finding out what exactly is inside, let alone whether it is compliant. Enter the new Binary Analysis Tool."

Comments

Isn't this like DRM for Open Source...

[jellomizer]

Isn't this a lot like a DRM designed for open source... The only real difference is what we call Normal DRM makes sure the End User is following the rules. the Open Source is making sure the Companies are following the rules. But in general Closed Source puts restrictions on the Users and the GNU puts restrictions on the Company. So it really is just an other form of DRM.

So it is Evil for a company to say illegal coping and sharing of our software that we put a lot of time, money and development into is given away for free while we still have all these expenses to pay for, and we should try to find a way to make sure we curve this behavior so we can get the money we earned.

But it Haled when a tool is made to make sure Software companies are making software that uses Open Source Software and they are not following the rules of the license.

Odly enough most companies are not as big and evil as you think... Most companies don't have teams of lawyers judging every action they do... No all software developers know the GNU and speak it every sunday at around 9:00 every morning. A lot of people think Open Source means public domain, or how much can they modify the code before it is there and they can license it any way they want...

If you want to go all out and push Open Source GNU license and make sure people are compliant with technical means then you should back off on DRM. Or if you want to push DRM then you should support not having Open Source push the issue too... Otherwise you will be in overall hyporcracy of yourself and probably just be branded as an Anti-Caplistic Nut.