For the record, my e-mail to <sales@onyx-international.com> dated July 6th:
Quote:
Hello,
I will cover multiple items with this email:
1. This is a formal request for the source code you need to make available to your customers, including but not limited to:
- the Linux kernel source code, including the kernel configuration, and the board file / device tree file(s), as provided by
https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/COPYING
- the U-Boot source code, configuration, and device tree file(s), as provided by
http://git.denx.de/?p=u-boot.git;a=b...README;hb=HEAD
I have attached proof of my purchase of the ONYX BOOX Max along with this request: the invoice and the warranty card.
2. The trello board you have created is not publicly editable. As such, it is useless for submitting bugs.
3. I would like to use this opportunity to urge you to consider an open-source development model. This means:
- making as much of the source code available as possible without disclosing what you consider your proprietary "secret sauce",
- a proper bug-reporting system, that allows for conversation between you and your customers,
- and just as important, instructions for building and modifying the platform.
It is obvious from your github account that some form of open source development was your intention in the beginning. So it would be great if you continued that policy with your new generation of android devices and improved on it.
Consider the fact that there are more people like myself that would like to do more with these devices than using them as simple e-readears, and some of them are developers. So I think this is a great opportunity for your company to allow them and stimulate them to engage with your development.
Thank you, and regards,
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And to <service@ereader-store.de>, on July 21st:
Quote:
Thank you for your reply,
I won't be using your Contact tickets system, because I want to have an official proof of our conversation in my inbox.
This is related to my order #40xxxx, the purchase of an ONYX BOOX Max which I succesfully received in May this year.
The BOOX Max includes software licensed under the GPL, and this is an official request for access to that code, specifically to the Linux kernel and the U-Boot source code.
According to the GPL:
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.txt
"The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for
making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source
code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any
associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to
control compilation and installation of the executable."
Note that although I am immediately interested only in the Linux kernel and the U-Boot source code, you still need to make available the source code of any other GPL-licensed components (e.g. busybox, FBReader and possibly others).
I have sent the same request to ONYX but they went silent on the matter - I have attached my conversation with them for reference.
However, since you are the vendor, it is ultimately your responsability to provide the code according to the license of the software used in the product you sold.
Thank you,
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