Quote:
Originally Posted by TadW
The core of Linux itself is written and distributed under GPL. If it uses Linux, there MUST be some kind of sources distributed somewhere to comply with GPL.
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Incorrect. If you link against GPL'ed code, your code must also be GPL, and thus source made available. If you directly use GPL code (meaning, you actually use the code, and not just link against it at compile time), then it must remain GPL and source has to be furnished. However, simply using GPL'ed code does not mean that all source is furnished, just the afflicted portions. For most embedded devices, which includes all ebook readers, generally only the linux kernel is used, and thus the only portion released. The actual software from the readers, such as the ADEPT framework in this instance, is usually made in a manner that does not link against the GPLed code. The end result is that it is linux software, that requires linux, but is not open source. This is nothing new for the linux community. Many hardware drivers are this way, especially when it comes to wireless and graphics. Really upsets a lot of linux users, because really it goes against the spirit of what most of us try to do, especially the stuff like the drivers, that basically become part of the system. But really what can we do about it? If everyone was forced to GPL everything that runs on the linux kernel, so many people would not use it, because it would take away so much of the freedom that we have.
Long story short, likely the only source you'll find is the kernel, which is nigh on useless for doing what they wanted, since that'll have none of the interesting bits.