Calbre illegally being sold

JSWolf · 12-06-2020, 06:32 PM

There's a company called RepackagerExpress that is repackaging Calibre and selling it. It's also being sold in the Microsoft Store. These scammers are also selling a lot of other open source software they've "repackaged".

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ep...calibre-e-book

arjaybe · 12-06-2020, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There's a company called RepackagerExpress that is repackaging Calibre and selling it. It's also being sold in the Microsoft Store. These scammers are also selling a lot of other open source software they've "repackaged".

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ep...calibre-e-book

Under the GPL V3 license, it's okay to sell it.

Quote:

Users or companies who distribute GPL-licensed works (e.g. software), may charge a fee for copies

JSWolf · 12-06-2020, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Under the GPL V3 license, it's okay to sell it.

Are they allowed to change the installer for Windows and sell it?

davidfor · 12-06-2020, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Are they allowed to change the installer for Windows and sell it?

According to that license, yes. Remember, this is open source software and the license allows others to take it and make other versions or use the code in other ways. If anything, the problem is that they don't show the derivation of the software. This might be included when it is installed which would probably solve any issues.

Of course, I assume as you think it is a problem that you have reported this to MS using the link on the page. Maybe they will agree with you.

binaryhermit · 12-06-2020, 07:20 PM

Yes they can sell GPLed software (RedHat does exactly this, to name one example) but the thing is they have to provide the source code,. Which is why CentOS is able to exist.

SteveEisenberg · 12-06-2020, 08:01 PM

According to the fine print in the “Description” section of the link in #1, it is “completely free.”

So the attempt to collect $2.89 seems to me a cheat. Maybe it is a legal cheat, but it looks unfair to me.

JSWolf · 12-07-2020, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

According to the fine print in the “Description” section of the link in #1, it is “completely free.”

So the attempt to collect $2.89 seems to me a cheat. Maybe it is a legal cheat, but it looks unfair to me.

Another issue is they don't supply the source code which they are required to do.

binaryhermit · 12-07-2020, 03:46 PM

That's likely the only actual legal issue, IMO.

JSWolf · 12-07-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

That's likely the only actual legal issue, IMO.

But it's still a legal issue. Selling Calibre like they are without the source code is against the GPL v3 rules. Also, they don't say what version Calibre they are peddling.

binaryhermit · 12-07-2020, 04:16 PM

The only way that the "not providing source code" thing isn't an issue is if they can convince the courts to throw out the GPL as unenforceable, but that likely still wouldn't help because I don't believe copyright law would allow them to distribute Calibre absent the permission the GPL gives.

(DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, so YMMV)

ownedbycats · 12-07-2020, 08:08 PM

They've been pulling this crap for years now e.g. Think All/CDEarth sold discs of open-source software back in the mid-00's, and did other shady stuff like charging the customers for discs they didn't order. The FTC wasn't pleased.

davidfor · 12-07-2020, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Another issue is they don't supply the source code which they are required to do.

Are you sure? They wouldn't have to supply it on the page you linked. They would need to supply a link to it in the package they supply. Or instructions on how to get it. Unless you have bought it, you wouldn't know. And all they would need to do is point to the calibre source and any changes they have made. But, my guess is that the only change they have made is to wrap their installer around it. And that wouldn't have to be open source.

Iris-maybe · 12-08-2020, 01:16 AM

The price is $2.89

Ghitulescu · 12-08-2020, 04:21 AM

Legal or illegal means which side of the bars is one.
Fair or unfair means a rhetorical question, left for philosophers to spend their time on earth.

BetterRed · 12-08-2020, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghitulescu

Legal or illegal means which side of the bars is one.
Fair or unfair means a rhetorical question, left for philosophers to spend their time on earth.

The only to-and-fro matters that arise in the bars I frequent are related to the age of the patrons.

BR

12-06-2020, 08:01 PM	#6
SteveEisenberg Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,421 Karma: 43514536 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: near Philadelphia USA Device: Kindle Kids Edition, Fire HD 10 (11th generation)	According to the fine print in the “Description” section of the link in #1, it is “completely free.” So the attempt to collect $2.89 seems to me a cheat. Maybe it is a legal cheat, but it looks unfair to me. Last edited by SteveEisenberg; 12-06-2020 at 08:05 PM.

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12-06-2020, 06:32 PM	#1
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Calbre illegally being sold There's a company called RepackagerExpress that is repackaging Calibre and selling it. It's also being sold in the Microsoft Store. These scammers are also selling a lot of other open source software they've "repackaged". https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ep...calibre-e-book

12-06-2020, 07:20 PM	#5
binaryhermit Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,732 Karma: 20469902 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lockport, IL Device: Kindle PW4, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Yes they can sell GPLed software (RedHat does exactly this, to name one example) but the thing is they have to provide the source code,. Which is why CentOS is able to exist.

12-07-2020, 03:46 PM	#8
binaryhermit Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,732 Karma: 20469902 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lockport, IL Device: Kindle PW4, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	That's likely the only actual legal issue, IMO.

12-07-2020, 04:16 PM	#10
binaryhermit Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,732 Karma: 20469902 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Lockport, IL Device: Kindle PW4, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	The only way that the "not providing source code" thing isn't an issue is if they can convince the courts to throw out the GPL as unenforceable, but that likely still wouldn't help because I don't believe copyright law would allow them to distribute Calibre absent the permission the GPL gives. (DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, so YMMV)

12-07-2020, 08:08 PM	#11
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,974 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	They've been pulling this crap for years now e.g. Think All/CDEarth sold discs of open-source software back in the mid-00's, and did other shady stuff like charging the customers for discs they didn't order. The FTC wasn't pleased.

12-08-2020, 01:16 AM	#13
Iris-maybe Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2017 Device: kindle paperwhite2	The price is $2.89

12-08-2020, 04:21 AM	#14
Ghitulescu Fanatic Posts: 563 Karma: 403106 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: PRS-T1	Legal or illegal means which side of the bars is one. Fair or unfair means a rhetorical question, left for philosophers to spend their time on earth.

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