4 ms·

Is there a way to file lawsuits for such cases? These incidents lead to death of open-source and crush hearts of open-source developers.

0manrho 1y ago
It's always possible to try, especially as it seems there was a technical violation here, but whether it's worth it or likely to gain enough legal traction to yield results is another story, especially in instances of "your AI generated boiler plate looks like my AI generated boilerplate, and therefore is theft"
20after4 1y ago
Absolutely. The lawsuit probably wouldn't get very far when it comes to damages, however...
tombert 1y ago
I believe that BusyBox sued over violations like 17 years ago. I am not aware of any other instances.
- bawolff 1y ago
  Wikipedia has a list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_license_litigation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_license_litigation
- pabs3 1y ago
  Software Freedom Conservancy is currently suing Vizio. The interesting thing about this lawsuit is that it aims to make it possible for any recipient of GPL code sue for compliance, instead of requiring the copyright holder to sue. https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/vizio.html https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/vizio.html
bawolff 1y ago
Seems like this would be a pretty open and shut case of copyright infringement.
- luke5441 1y ago
  Pursuing something like this would perhaps cost more than 200k in the US. And then the startup would likely just fold and you get nothing in return.
  - ozgrakkurt 1y ago
    Unfortunately law being too expensive to pursue makes it practically non-existent. All IP/copyright etc. laws are complete bs because of this. A large corporation can just roll over you and then say sorry and maybe pay some pocket change money
  - JimDabell 1y ago
    Sending a DMCA takedown notice is free.
  - fakedang 1y ago
    Hire a lawyer to send a legal notice. Costs practically nothing and since it's an open and shut case, free money for the lawyer (if they charge based on damages), or the startup caves and shuts down.

0manrho 1y ago

It's always possible to try, especially as it seems there was a technical violation here, but whether it's worth it or likely to gain enough legal traction to yield results is another story, especially in instances of "your AI generated boiler plate looks like my AI generated boilerplate, and therefore is theft"

20after4 1y ago

Absolutely. The lawsuit probably wouldn't get very far when it comes to damages, however...

tombert 1y ago

I believe that BusyBox sued over violations like 17 years ago. I am not aware of any other instances.

bawolff 1y ago
Wikipedia has a list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_license_litigation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_license_litigation
pabs3 1y ago
Software Freedom Conservancy is currently suing Vizio. The interesting thing about this lawsuit is that it aims to make it possible for any recipient of GPL code sue for compliance, instead of requiring the copyright holder to sue. https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/vizio.html https://sfconservancy.org/copyleft-compliance/vizio.html

bawolff 1y ago

Seems like this would be a pretty open and shut case of copyright infringement.

luke5441 1y ago
Pursuing something like this would perhaps cost more than 200k in the US. And then the startup would likely just fold and you get nothing in return.
- ozgrakkurt 1y ago
  Unfortunately law being too expensive to pursue makes it practically non-existent. All IP/copyright etc. laws are complete bs because of this. A large corporation can just roll over you and then say sorry and maybe pay some pocket change money
- JimDabell 1y ago
  Sending a DMCA takedown notice is free.
- fakedang 1y ago
  Hire a lawyer to send a legal notice. Costs practically nothing and since it's an open and shut case, free money for the lawyer (if they charge based on damages), or the startup caves and shuts down.