4 ms·

They've already distributed the software. They are required per the license to distribute the source code. They can remove the source code that requires them to

They've already distributed the software. They are required per the license to distribute the source code. They can remove the source code that requires them to do this, but existing copies of the software must are covered under the license agreements. i.e. The cat is out of the bag.

jahewson 4y ago
They were also required by the license to follow the licence and yet here we are. They’re in violation of the license. They can be sued for damages.
charcircuit 4y ago
That is not how it works. It was copyright infringement for them to distribute the binary without the source code. If they are made aware of this and they continue to distribute it then it becomes willful infringement each time they distribute it. Even they you were to distribute the code after the fact that doesn't forgive the copyright infringement they did early. In the end releasing the code doesn't do anything for them other than give away their IP. The best option in this scenario for them is to stop distributing the binary to avoid willful infringement and then work to remove the GPL code from the project and then start distributing it again. Do remember that the GPL is not a EULA. It only applies when you make copies of the code. Also random people can't sue over this infringement. Only the copyright owner of the code can do so.
- sangnoir 4y ago
  > If they are made aware of this and they continue to distribute it then it becomes willful infringement each time they distribute it. They have been made aware via email, and they continue to distribute it via the download link. The is no need to couch this as a hypothetical scenario.
  - charcircuit 4y ago
    I was talking about in general. Yes, in this case they are choosing to take on legal risk. This is typically fine because almost no one ever sues over free software.
    - tremon 4y ago
      This is not "fine" even if no one ever sued over Free Software.
      - necovek 4y ago
        There are different version of "fine" here :) Morally, it's definitely NOT fine. It will probably have no significant bad effect on their business, iow, it is fine from a business perspective. It's unfortunate, but likely true.
        deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
- blincoln 4y ago
  I could be wrong, but I think you misunderstand how the GPL works. The GPL doesn't require distribution of the source code along with the binaries. Most organizations do that because it's easier than the other option, which involves providing the source code to users of the software on request. So they aren't actually infringing the copyright unless they not only don't provide the source publicly, but also don't provide it on request for at least three years.
  - charcircuit 4y ago
    I was making a simplification. The license requires you to either distribute the source or distribute an offer on how someone can acquire the code. b) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by a written offer, valid for at least three years It also would require the written notice which they didn't do.
lifthrasiir 4y ago
> existing copies of the software must are covered under the license agreements. While this is true, it should be noted that we can't know which license will be applied at this point. Remember that (L)GPL forces you to release your source code under some specific circumstances, and the implied condition here is that you have accepted the license in the first place. If you didn't ever agree to that license, you are clearly violating GPL but otherwise any other restriction of GPL doesn't immediately apply to you; it will have to be resolved in the court. And it is entirely possible that you and original software author(s) can reach an entirely different agreement that doesn't involve GPL at all. So as a user, you can't technically request for source codes right now. (Of course, it still is a not-too-bad strategy for users as original software authors can always demand GPL.)
- nerdponx 4y ago
  Does usage constitute agreement?

jahewson 4y ago

They were also required by the license to follow the licence and yet here we are. They’re in violation of the license. They can be sued for damages.

charcircuit 4y ago

That is not how it works. It was copyright infringement for them to distribute the binary without the source code. If they are made aware of this and they continue to distribute it then it becomes willful infringement each time they distribute it. Even they you were to distribute the code after the fact that doesn't forgive the copyright infringement they did early. In the end releasing the code doesn't do anything for them other than give away their IP. The best option in this scenario for them is to stop distributing the binary to avoid willful infringement and then work to remove the GPL code from the project and then start distributing it again. Do remember that the GPL is not a EULA. It only applies when you make copies of the code. Also random people can't sue over this infringement. Only the copyright owner of the code can do so.

sangnoir 4y ago
> If they are made aware of this and they continue to distribute it then it becomes willful infringement each time they distribute it. They have been made aware via email, and they continue to distribute it via the download link. The is no need to couch this as a hypothetical scenario.
- charcircuit 4y ago
  I was talking about in general. Yes, in this case they are choosing to take on legal risk. This is typically fine because almost no one ever sues over free software.
  - tremon 4y ago
    This is not "fine" even if no one ever sued over Free Software.
    - necovek 4y ago
      There are different version of "fine" here :) Morally, it's definitely NOT fine. It will probably have no significant bad effect on their business, iow, it is fine from a business perspective. It's unfortunate, but likely true.
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
blincoln 4y ago
I could be wrong, but I think you misunderstand how the GPL works. The GPL doesn't require distribution of the source code along with the binaries. Most organizations do that because it's easier than the other option, which involves providing the source code to users of the software on request. So they aren't actually infringing the copyright unless they not only don't provide the source publicly, but also don't provide it on request for at least three years.
- charcircuit 4y ago
  I was making a simplification. The license requires you to either distribute the source or distribute an offer on how someone can acquire the code. b) Convey the object code in, or embodied in, a physical product (including a physical distribution medium), accompanied by a written offer, valid for at least three years It also would require the written notice which they didn't do.

lifthrasiir 4y ago

> existing copies of the software must are covered under the license agreements. While this is true, it should be noted that we can't know which license will be applied at this point. Remember that (L)GPL forces you to release your source code under some specific circumstances, and the implied condition here is that you have accepted the license in the first place. If you didn't ever agree to that license, you are clearly violating GPL but otherwise any other restriction of GPL doesn't immediately apply to you; it will have to be resolved in the court. And it is entirely possible that you and original software author(s) can reach an entirely different agreement that doesn't involve GPL at all. So as a user, you can't technically request for source codes right now. (Of course, it still is a not-too-bad strategy for users as original software authors can always demand GPL.)

nerdponx 4y ago
Does usage constitute agreement?