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Symantec May Violate Linux GPL in Norton Core Router (zdnet.com)
An anonymous reader writes: For years, embedded device manufacturers have been illegally using Linux. Typically, they use Linux without publishing their device's source code, which Linux's GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2) requires them to do. Well, guess what? Another vendor, this time Symantec, appears to be the guilty party. This was revealed when Google engineer and Linux security expert Matthew Garrett was diving into his new Norton Core Router. This is a high-end Wi-Fi router. Symantec claims it's regularly updated with the latest security mechanisms. Garrett popped his box open to take a deeper look into Symantec's magic security sauce.
What he found appears to be a Linux distribution based on the QCA Software Development Kit (QSDK) project. This is a GPLv2-licensed, open-source platform built around the Linux-based OpenWrt Wi-Fi router operating system. For Symantec's purposes, QSDK and OpenWrt are an excellent choice. Instead of a read-only firmware, OpenWrt has a fully writable filesystem with package management. This enables Symantec to easily customize its router with updated security features. But -- and it's a big but -- if it's indeed based on QSDK and OpenWrt, Symantec needs to share the Norton Core Router's code with the world.
What he found appears to be a Linux distribution based on the QCA Software Development Kit (QSDK) project. This is a GPLv2-licensed, open-source platform built around the Linux-based OpenWrt Wi-Fi router operating system. For Symantec's purposes, QSDK and OpenWrt are an excellent choice. Instead of a read-only firmware, OpenWrt has a fully writable filesystem with package management. This enables Symantec to easily customize its router with updated security features. But -- and it's a big but -- if it's indeed based on QSDK and OpenWrt, Symantec needs to share the Norton Core Router's code with the world.
If they would have used FreeBSD or NetBSD, it has no such requirements to share modified versions.Plus it has great networking and packet filtering.
But most companies would rather try to save some money and effort doing things the wrong way. Violating software licenses along the way, hoping they won't get caught. In the long run that strategy is most costly.
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
Sorry, Martin, it really is unlicensed copying that is the violation. The way it works is when you violate the license, the copyright holder (plaintiff) goes to court and says "the defendant is infringing my copyright by making unlicensed copies". The defendant answers with their defense: "I am not violating copyright because I have a license". The plaintiff then shows all of the ways that the defendant is not honoring the license terms, and thus demonstrates that the act of copying was unlicensed and that for the defendant, all rights were reserved and are thus being infringed. The tort is making unlicensed copies.
Bruce Perens.