Re: Dual-Licensing Linux Kernel with GPL V2 and GPL V3

[david@lang.hm]

On Wed, 20 Jun 2007, Michael Poole wrote:

> Tomas Neme writes:
>
> > > It's simple: they don't provide _complete_ source code.  They keep the
> > > source code for the part of their Linux kernel images that provides
> > > the functionality "runs on Tivo DVRs".  The GPL requires that
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivoization does not agree that this is
> > the problem but rather "TiVo circumvented this goal by making their
> > products run programs only if the program's digital signature matches
> > those authorised by the manufacturer of the TiVo."
> >
> > I'm downloading the sources now.. if they compile, then you're lying
> > to me, right? Moreover, if I compile them as is, and I can run them on
> > a TiVo (let's say upgrading the machine's kernel) then you're even
> > more so..
>
> Whether the sources you download from Tivo compile says very little.
> It certainly does not mean I am wrong.  I could give you binary for
> version A and sources for version B -- and the sources would compile.
>
> The kernel you build from the source code that Tivo distributes must
> be accepted by Tivo's hardware without making other modifications (to
> Tivo's hardware or bootloader).  If that is possible, I will retract
> what I said.  If it is not possible, they are omitting part of the
> program's source code:

no, saying that the result must be acceptable to other software (in this 
case the software running in the BIOS) is not part of the source code.

David Lang

>    A "computer program" is a set of statements or instructions to be
>    used directly or indirectly in a computer in order to bring about
>    a certain result.
>    -- US Code, Title 17, Section 101
>
> Michael Poole
> -
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