> On Wed, 14 Jan 2004, Jun Sun wrote: > > > Since we are on this subject, I am curious if I buy a Cisco's router > > whether it is considered that Cisco distributs the binaries to me > > and whether I can demand for the source code if they are GPL'ed software. > ... > > I can see arguments go either way. Do open source community and > > industry have some concensus on this issue? Charlie replied... > Please read the various licenses (GPL and other), and consult your > lawyer. And if you want a definitive answer (in your jurisdiction) > get the license tested in Court (and subsequent Appeals Courts). :-) But Jun Sun asked whether distribution of a binary in a ROM inside a black box might not really count as distribution. I don't think you need a lawyer to resolve that. If the software was a computer game (for example) I can't quite see its commercial owners smiling indulgently and saying "it's only a ROM, carry on...", and I don't see them having trouble over their position in court. So yes, binary code distributed in a black box is still distributed, and if it was GPL software you are entitled to the source code. It's sensible of Cisco to put it quietly on a web site somewhere. -- Dominic Sweetman (not necessarily the view of MIPS Technologies)
