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Old 09-16-2008, 08:29 AM   #19
igorsk
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Posts: 3,442
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Belgium
Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT View Post
By your definition, NO eBook reader is "legal" to use then, because on none of them is it possible to install Linux without the associated reading application. You can't install Linux on a Sony Reader without Sony's reading application, so does this mean that, in your view, it is "illegal" to use a Sony Reader?
Sony provide full sources to the Linux kernel and the drivers which are compiled into the kernel. They also have a clear mention of GPL in the manual. They do not provide sources for loadable drivers for the SD/MS cards, the sources for the reading application or instructions on installing your own kernel on the device as, alas, this is not required by the GPLv2 (and one of the things addressed by GPLv3).
That said, you definitely can "install Linux on a Sony Reader without Sony's reading application" even if it's a bit complicated.
http://openinkpot.org/wiki/ProgressOfWenjieGsoc

So, Sony knows GPL and they abide by it. Bookeen did well by releasing (partial) sources, but they're not fully compliant just yet.
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