Re: gEDA-user: GPLv3 question

[Geoff Swan <shinobi.jack@xxxxxxxxx>]

So just to clarify - if you distribute an embedded device that runs a
GPLv3 binary; to comply with the GPLv3 you must not only provide the
source, but also a hardware-programmer/uploader?
I suppose in most cases this isn't necessarily a huge issue - where
firmware upgrade capability is built into the device (such as most
routers, and development style boards).

I play with the Atmel AVR range a fair bit and typically only create
boards that require a separate hardware programmer to upload firmware.
In this case to distribute such a board with GPLv3 firmware I would
technically need to provide the in-circuit-programmer with the board
and source.

I could imagine in some cases the uC may be programmed *before* it is
soldered in place and no mechanism provided by the circuit for
firmware modification. In this case I presume you would not be able to
make use of GPLv3 firmware - as no mechinism is readily available to
modify the firmware...

I know these are perhaps somewhat unrealistic scenarios - but if I
have understood them correctly it certainly seems that GPLv3 could
have been a little more embedded platform friendly.


cheers,

Geoff


On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 7:01 AM, DJ Delorie <dj@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> You don't need to deliver *any* source code unless it is requested
>> by the user.
>
> In the case of an embedded product, with GPLv3, the *only* way to not
> include the source is to include the written offer, which opens you up
> for a DDNS.  You can only use the "web download" option if the binary
> is itself "web downloaded".
>
> Also - for embedded products, to comply with GPLv3 you must enable the
> user to change the code *in the device*.  Just providing source code
> isn't enough unless they can use it too.
>
>
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