[BusyBox 0000355]: ZyXEL Kernel /BusyBox GPL violation?
bugs at busybox.net
bugs at busybox.net
Tue Nov 7 21:03:39 UTC 2006
A NOTE has been added to this issue.
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http://busybox.net/bugs/view.php?id=355
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Reported By: macemoneta
Assigned To: BusyBox
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Project: BusyBox
Issue ID: 355
Category: License Violations
Reproducibility: always
Severity: minor
Priority: normal
Status: feedback
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Date Submitted: 07-25-2005 20:27 PDT
Last Modified: 11-07-2006 13:03 PST
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Summary: ZyXEL Kernel /BusyBox GPL violation?
Description:
I purchased a ZyXEL router, and noted in its log:
0day 00:00:16 klogd started: BusyBox v1.00-pre8 (2005.06.02-02:19+0000)
0day 00:00:16 Linux version 2.4.18-MIPS-01.00 (root at UTOPIA) (gcc version
3.3.3) http://busybox.net/bugs/view.php?id=53 Fri Jun 10 16:13:48 CST 2005
...
I contacted the vendor to request source, since no mention of it is made
on their website (http://www.zyxel.com), or documentation:
---
Subject: Linux GPL software for P-330W
Where can I obtain the Linux software for the P-330W, as required under
Gnu Public Licence (Firmware Version: v4.2.1.6.6e.)?
---
Their response:
---
Sir,
Our unit is only based on Linux. It is not necessarily built off the
source code. The code was developed by our engineers in Taiwan. As this
is the case, we do not have access to the code here, and it is not
covered by the GPL. If you need more assistance, please call at
1-800-255-4101.
Thank you,
Scott Latimer
Technicial Support Specialist
ZyXEL Communications
1130 N Miller Street
Anaheim, CA 92806
A+, Network+
---
The response seems meaningless; does this constitute a violation of GPL?
If so what, if any, action needs to be taken?
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macemoneta - 07-26-05 07:41
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Some additional details, from the kernel violation template:
The checklist:
* Does the distribution contain a copy of the License?
No
* Does it clearly state which software is covered by the License?
Does it say anything misleading, perhaps giving the impression
that something is covered by the License when in fact it is not?
No, neither the printed documentation, nor their web site states which
software is covered by GPL.
* Is source code included in the distribution?
No
* Is a written offer for source code included with a distribution
of just binaries?
No
* Is the available source code complete, or is it designed for
linking in other non-free modules?
No source code
If there seems to be a real violation, the next thing you need to do is
record the details carefully:
* the precise name of the product
ZyXEL P-330W
* the name of the person or organization distributing it
ZyXEL: http://www.zyxel.com
* email addresses, postal addresses and phone numbers for how to
contact the distributor(s)
ZyXEL Communications
1130 N Miller Street
Anaheim, CA 92806
1-800-255-4101
No email direct found.
* the exact name of the package whose license is violated
BusyBox v1.00-pre8
* how the license was violated:
* Is the copyright notice of the copyright holder
included?
No
* Is the source code completely missing?
Yes
* Does the written offer for source, if given, only give a
website and/or FTP site where to download the source?
No location for download, no offer of source available.
* Is there a copy of the license included in the
distribution?
No
* Is some of the source available, but not all? If so,
what parts are missing?
All missing
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macemoneta - 07-31-05 13:25
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A firmware update is now available for download from the manufacturer
here:
ftp://ftp.us.zyxel.com/P330W/firmware/P330W_v4.2.1.6.8e_firmware.zip
Examining the firmware file, I also found the "webs" web server (also
GPL), so I notified that project developer as well.
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vapier - 07-31-05 15:53
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ive mirrored the zip here:
http://dev.gentoo.org/~vapier/uclibc/P330W_v4.2.1.6.8e_firmware.zip
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macemoneta - 01-09-06 17:39
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Zyxel has released the sourcecode here: ftp://opensource.zyxel.com
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vapier - 01-09-06 17:44
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thanks ! ive moved them from the hall of shame to the products page :)
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macemoneta - 09-27-06 00:51
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It looks like Zyxel has fallen out of compliance again. The ftp site is no
longer available (tried for over 30 days), and multiple support requests to
Zyxel on the issue have been ignored.
Also, all references to Linux and the GPL license have been removed from
the web site as well as in the firmware download, user manual, etc.
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ehovland - 11-07-06 12:13
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As of 2006-11-07 the FTP server ftp://opensource.zyxel.com/ is up and
serving files for three different products.
It would be nice if the ftp site was more easily found through their
website. Neither 'opensource' or 'linux' produces a hit to that FTP server
or an http enabled link to that source code.
I wouldn't call that compliance unless the FSF calls that compliance. Feel
free to keep nudging ZyXEL.
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macemoneta - 11-07-06 13:03
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Confirming that the server is back up, but they are still not providing the
current firmware. For the P-330W, the current firmware is
P330W_V1.7_firmware.zip, but their source is for the original base release
(1.4):
ncftp /P330W > ls
binutils-2.14.90.0.8.tar.gz P-330W_V1.4.tgz
gcc-3.3.3.tar.gz upnpd.tgz
There doesn't seem to be much incentive for them to remain in compliance.
My emails to them seem to be bit-bucketed at this point.
Issue History
Date Modified Username Field Change
======================================================================
07-25-05 20:27 macemoneta New Issue
07-25-05 20:27 macemoneta Status new => assigned
07-25-05 20:27 macemoneta Assigned To => BusyBox
07-26-05 07:41 macemoneta Note Added: 0000342
07-31-05 13:25 macemoneta Note Added: 0000357
07-31-05 15:53 vapier Note Added: 0000362
01-09-06 17:39 macemoneta Note Added: 0000891
01-09-06 17:44 vapier Note Added: 0000892
01-09-06 17:44 vapier Status assigned => closed
01-09-06 17:44 vapier Resolution open => fixed
09-27-06 00:32 macemoneta Status closed => feedback
09-27-06 00:32 macemoneta Resolution fixed => reopened
09-27-06 00:32 macemoneta Note Added: 0001647
09-27-06 00:51 macemoneta Note Edited: 0001647
09-27-06 00:51 macemoneta Note Edited: 0001647
11-07-06 12:13 ehovland Note Added: 0001736
11-07-06 13:03 macemoneta Note Added: 0001737
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