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Remix OS in Violation of GPL and Apache Licenses (tlhp.cf)

An anonymous reader writes: You may have heard recently of the Remix OS, a fork of Android that targets desktop computing. The operating system, which was created by former Google employees and features a traditional desktop layout in addition to the ability to run Android apps, was previewed on Ars Technica a few weeks ago, but it was not actually released for end-users to download until earlier this week. Now that Remix OS has been released, The Linux Homefront Project is reporting that the Android-based operating system, for which source code is not readily available, violates both the GPL and the Apache License. The RemixOS installer includes a "Remix OS USB Tool" that is really a re-branded copy of popular disk imaging tool UNetbootin, which falls under the GPL. Additionally, browsing through the install image files reveals that the operating system is based on the Apache Licensed Android-x86 project. From the article: "Output is absolutely clear – no differences! No authors, no changed files, no trademarks, just copy-paste development." Is this a blatant disregard for the GPL and Apache licenses by an optimistic startup, or were the authors too eager to release that they forgot to provide access to the repo?

4 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hanlon's Razor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yep.

    Just reading the comments makes it clear they have the Unetbootin developers' blessing, and the Android-x86 developers are fine with it too.

    This is a minor screw-up, I suspect. Not quite a non-story but not deserving this kind of rant.

  2. Re:Another good idea that will get shut down by phishybongwaters · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Well if your school was using enterprise version of windows, as you should be, and a WSUS, you wouldn't ever see the upgrade to win10 nag. So... you are likely violating your license already. But, I suspect, you are buying bulk laptops and using the OEM version of windows on there. No excuse for that my friend, that's just a lazy IT department.

  3. Re:Another good idea that will get shut down by Aighearach · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Please tell me you arent actually in charge of anything.

    He did, he said he was talking about a "school district." When you're older, you'll realize that teachers are not authorities, schools are not valued institutions, and they don't have enough of an IT budget to even attempt to do things the "right way." And nobody cares, because none of their files are important.

    I'd be more concerned if they were out of paper than if they had awful computers.

  4. Re:Hanlon's Razor by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Wasn't this GPL stuff those stupid people brought our company into headlines, damaging our reputation?

    Free publicity is good publicity. If you missed the original product announcement, here's yet another front page story on Slashdot... :)