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

Bongani Hlope
2007-06-14T06:20:16Z

On Thursday 14 June 2007 02:55:52 Alexandre Oliva wrote:
> On Jun 13, 2007, Bongani Hlope <bhlope@mweb.co.za> wrote:
> > On Thursday 14 June 2007 01:49:23 Alexandre Oliva wrote:
> >> if you distribute copies of such a program, [...]
> >> you must give the recipients all the rights that you have
> >>
> >> So, TiVo includes a copy of Linux in its DVR.
> >
> > And they give you the same right that they had, which is obtain free
> > software that you can modify and redistribute. There's nothing in there
> > that says they should give you the tools they used after they received
> > the software, which is what you seem to be looking for.
>
> Can they modify the software in their device?
>
> Do they pass this right on?
>
> >> TiVo retains the right to modify that copy of Linux as it sees fit.
> >>
> >> It doesn't give the recipients the same right.
> >
> > It does, can't you modify their kernel source?
>
> It's not the kernel source. That's not where the TiVo anti-tampering
> machinery blocks modifications.
>
> It's about that copy of the kernel that ships in the device in object
> code. That's the one that TiVo customers ought to be entitled to
> modify, if TiVo can modify it itself.
>
> > Where does it say you should be able to run you modifications on the
> > same hardware?
>
> Where it says that you should pass on all the rights that you have.
>
> While TiVo retains the ability to replace, upgrade, fix, break or make
> any other change in the GPLed software in the device, it ought to pass
> it on to its customers.

So according to your logic, I can go to Sharp's website and download the GPL
source code for their Zaurus. But I don't own a Sharp Zaurus; to keep with
your interpretation of the spirit of GPL, they have to give me a Zaurus so
that I can run my modifications on the same hardware?