Quote:
Originally Posted by dottedmag
If I get a linux-2.6.18.tar.bz2, drop all copyrigt notices and licenses, rename it to xunil-2.6.18.tar.bz2 and sell as a proprietary product, it IS the proprietary product. While it is obviously copyright infringement and 2000 developers going to sue me, it is still the copyright product until I (voluntarily or by court's decision) release it under open-source license.
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So? I repeat Harry's statement:
Copying firmware from a device that you don't own and installing on another machine is no different to pirating any other software.
dottedmag, you are talking about proprietary or apparently proprietary firmware. Harry talks about firmware in general. If a company is not as sneaky as you describe it, and fully acknowledges GPL, then I can do with the firmware what I want as long as I respect GPL. And this I do, even if I copy it from a device that I don't own and install it on another machine. I don't like general accusations calling me a pirate.