4 ms·

The dispute is in who is in the wrong and I believe only a judge can determine the facts. I presume innocence until proven guilty. For example, with Google vs

by anon2020dot00 4y ago

The dispute is in who is in the wrong and I believe only a judge can determine the facts. I presume innocence until proven guilty. For example, with Google vs Oracle on the Java API usage, Apple vs Epic Games on the App Store or even with Depp vs Amber Heard, there is no clear black-and-white. Especially with so-called GPL violations (which seems to be a grey area), there is even accusations that Github Co-Pilot is in violation, and so, I think best thing to do is for a judge or for a legal authority to make a decision instead of cancel culture.

danielbarla 4y ago
Fair enough. I am also generally against jumping to conclusions and mob justice, though I am not sure if a GPL2 violation is such a gray area in this format. It's a device shipped to a user, and the license states they need to be provided with the source on request. It's something the company should have addressed in the intervening time.
mtlynch 4y ago
It makes sense to assume innocence until proven guilty when the facts are murky, but this seems to be straightforward. They modified GPL code and refused to honor the license by releasing the source. If you witnessed someone snatch a wallet out of a child's hand and run away, you can reasonably conclude the snatcher is a thief. You wouldn't have to wait for a legal authority to tell you what you witnessed was a crime.
- anon2020dot00 4y ago
  Given that this seems to be so straight-forward, why won't someone file a legal case or anything? (genuine question because for me, they're just calling for mob-justice otherwise)
  - mtlynch 4y ago
    Given that this seems to be so straight-forward, why won't someone file a legal case or anything? It's costly to file a lawsuit. GP isn't calling for mob anything. They just stated that they're personally boycotting the company.
  - yjftsjthsd-h 4y ago
    IANAL, but AIUI: The current understanding is that such a suit would have to be filed by a copyright owner (so a kernel dev), not the user. There is a current lawsuit (https://wptavern.com/software-freedom-conservancy-takes-on-vizio-in-lawsuit-alleging-gpl-violations https://wptavern.com/software-freedom-conservancy-takes-on-v...) challenging this, though.

danielbarla 4y ago

Fair enough. I am also generally against jumping to conclusions and mob justice, though I am not sure if a GPL2 violation is such a gray area in this format. It's a device shipped to a user, and the license states they need to be provided with the source on request. It's something the company should have addressed in the intervening time.

mtlynch 4y ago

It makes sense to assume innocence until proven guilty when the facts are murky, but this seems to be straightforward. They modified GPL code and refused to honor the license by releasing the source. If you witnessed someone snatch a wallet out of a child's hand and run away, you can reasonably conclude the snatcher is a thief. You wouldn't have to wait for a legal authority to tell you what you witnessed was a crime.

anon2020dot00 4y ago
Given that this seems to be so straight-forward, why won't someone file a legal case or anything? (genuine question because for me, they're just calling for mob-justice otherwise)
- mtlynch 4y ago
  Given that this seems to be so straight-forward, why won't someone file a legal case or anything? It's costly to file a lawsuit. GP isn't calling for mob anything. They just stated that they're personally boycotting the company.
- yjftsjthsd-h 4y ago
  IANAL, but AIUI: The current understanding is that such a suit would have to be filed by a copyright owner (so a kernel dev), not the user. There is a current lawsuit (https://wptavern.com/software-freedom-conservancy-takes-on-vizio-in-lawsuit-alleging-gpl-violations https://wptavern.com/software-freedom-conservancy-takes-on-v...) challenging this, though.