possible gpl violation in easybcd

possible gpl violation in easybcd

[matthieu castet]

Hi,


easybcd (http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1) is a tools that provide a
modified version of grub [1].

At install time the EULA say [2].
The Code@NeoSmart.net doesn't work (doesn't exist).

Using the Licensing@NeoSmart.net [3] I got a reply [4]

Even if they didn't do any modification, I think they should :
- provide a valid email in their EULA
- provide a copy of the GPL
- provide the version they used and modification they done (if any).


Matthieu

[1]
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/NeoGrub

[2]
f. Note that this project ships with executables originally released
under the GPL. This does not apply to the entire project nor EasyBCD;
it only applies to "MBR.exe" and "NeoGrub.exe."
[...]
In compliance with the GPL the source code for portions of the EasyBCD
package is being made publically available. To request a copy of the
code, please forward your request to Code@NeoSmart.net.

[3]
You should have received a copy of the GPL license along with this
program. If you haven`t, please send an email to
Licensing@NeoSmart.net. 

[4]
EasyBCD uses these open source codes as standalone modules:
http://nufans.net/grub4dos/
http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/

Re: possible gpl violation in easybcd

[Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko]

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On 10.05.2011 21:55, matthieu castet wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
> easybcd (http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1) is a tools that provide a
> modified version of grub [1].
>
> At install time the EULA say [2].
> The Code@NeoSmart.net doesn't work (doesn't exist).
>
> Using the Licensing@NeoSmart.net [3] I got a reply [4]
>
> Even if they didn't do any modification, I think they should :
> - provide a valid email in their EULA
This isn't a requirement of any of licenses satisfying DFSG (including
GPL). It's perfectly fine to distribute completely anonymously.
> - provide a copy of the GPL
Yes. GPL has to be provided
> - provide the version they used and modification they done (if any).
>
They have to provide either a complete source or a written offer to ship
one if requested. But first check that they really don't have any source
code archive on their website since it's perfectly fine to have a
binary-only archive as long as they also provide an archive containing
source code.
> Matthieu
>
> [1]
> http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/NeoGrub
>
> [2]
> f. Note that this project ships with executables originally released
> under the GPL. This does not apply to the entire project nor EasyBCD;
> it only applies to "MBR.exe" and "NeoGrub.exe."
> [...]
> In compliance with the GPL the source code for portions of the EasyBCD
> package is being made publically available. To request a copy of the
> code, please forward your request to Code@NeoSmart.net.
>
> [3]
> You should have received a copy of the GPL license along with this
> program. If you haven`t, please send an email to
> Licensing@NeoSmart.net. 
>
> [4]
> EasyBCD uses these open source codes as standalone modules:
> http://nufans.net/grub4dos/
> http://ultradefrag.sourceforge.net/
>
> _______________________________________________
> Grub-devel mailing list
> Grub-devel@gnu.org
> https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/grub-devel
>


-- 
Regards
Vladimir 'φ-coder/phcoder' Serbinenko



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