04-25-2013, 03:45 PM | #1 | |
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Kobo GPL Violation regarding source availability for the Kobo Arc
Quote:
I think gpl-violations.org would be interested to hear about this doozy. Funny thing is that the full license indicating that source must be provided is there in the license. Ugh... Why do I bother with this? |
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04-25-2013, 06:52 PM | #2 |
Nameless Being
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It doesn't look like the Aura uses Android. I didn't see any mention of Android under legal, the version number suggests that it's using the same software as the Touch/Glo/Mini, the UI is very similar to their Touch/Glo/Mini UI (rather than their Android UI), and it uses the same update procedure as the Touch/Glo/Mini.
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04-25-2013, 07:12 PM | #3 |
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Taps on topic title
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04-25-2013, 07:17 PM | #4 |
Nameless Being
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Try contacting them with that information, pointing out that they are using their internally developed Linux distribution so they are the ones responsible for releasing any modifications that they make to GPLed software (i.e. they cannot claim that Google is responsible).
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04-25-2013, 07:19 PM | #5 |
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Please read what I have posted. I can't make it anymore clear.
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04-26-2013, 03:59 AM | #6 |
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Try to post this as an issue in their github account. They have already replied to such requests:
https://github.com/kobolabs/Kobo-Reader/issues/8 try doing the same. As you're already doing this, ask also for the Aura and updated code for the other models |
04-26-2013, 04:13 AM | #7 |
Pain in the arse
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I don't know if the source code is not release for Kobo Arc... do you know this wiki entry?
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04-26-2013, 01:24 PM | #8 |
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Hey guys, instead of going the roundabout way via gpl-violations, try raising an issue via our github repository. It's the most direct way to get source code.
The kernel sources are being pushed up for Arc right now. Aura just finished a few minutes ago. People have tried using the repository to report bugs in the application software, but please use customer support, this forum or the beta group instead. |
04-26-2013, 01:25 PM | #9 |
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It looks like something is stirring over at https://github.com/kobolabs
Kobo Aura HD bootloader/kernel are up there and an interesting stub for the arc. Kobo you need to inform your staff about these types of issues. Misleading statements like the one I received from your top tier support needs to be addressed. |
04-26-2013, 01:40 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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04-26-2013, 01:48 PM | #11 |
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Either way it was poorly handled...
The email I received indicated that the development team was consulted and said that no GPL code was being used. This is a lie. There is also no reference on how to obtain the source code via their website. So anyone who doesn't know about mobileread would not know about their github account. Source code seems to only be released when someone makes a stink about it. This is does not bode well in the spirit of open source software. |
04-26-2013, 02:49 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
A little more openness about firmware developments would be highly appreciated by the Kobo community here on MobileRead. Please inform us about the efforts Kobo is taken to solve known bugs. Some are almost dinosauric. Please, provide us with a roadmap of future firmware releases that inform us about • which bugs will be fixed and when (estimated firmware release number) • planned new features |
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04-27-2013, 03:34 AM | #13 |
Pain in the arse
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@Anak: the problem is there's no organized and open bug tracking system, like Launchpad or Bugzilla.
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05-01-2013, 08:12 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
BTW, as I understand the GPL, technically there's nothing wrong with them only making the code available when someone asks provided when releasing the binaries they include the licence and a written offer to distribute the source code to you. You can argue it's not in the spirit of the GPL and I would agree it's not ideal, but probably not a violation depending on how the term 'written offer' is interpreted and whether they can be argued to have made one and comply with it. The problem here of course is that because of support confusion they aren't making it available on request despite the written offer which means they are in violation. Considering the difficult of them educating their staff about the GPL, it would probably be best if they did just provide a link on their website and proactively release their GPL source code, although the way they're handling it now is unfortunately not uncommon. Last edited by Nil Einne; 05-01-2013 at 08:23 AM. |
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