Code that Microsoft released Monday for the Linux kernel under the General Public License version 2 (GPLv2) was in violation of that license before Microsoft made it available, according to an open-source network engineer.. Stephen Hemminger, principal engineer with open-source network vendor Vyatta, in a blog post claims that a network driver in Microsoft's Hyper-V virtualization software used open-source components licensed under the GPL. Since the license does not allow for mixing of closed-source or proprietary code with open-source code, the software was in violation of the GPL, he said in the post, which details how the violation was discovered. The link for this article located at Network World is no longer available. . An open-source developer has raised GPL infringement allegations against Microsoft's release of the Linux kernel, specifically focusing on the components related to network drivers.. GPL Violation, Open Source Licensing, Microsoft Compliance, Network Driver Issues. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
A German court has granted a preliminary injunction against security firm Fortinet for allegedly violating the general public licence (GPL) and hiding Linux in its code. The ruling could prevent the security appliance vendor from further distributing its products until it complies with the open source licence. . Fortinet was accused of using cryptographic techniques to conceal the presence of Linux code in its FortiGate and FortiWifi products, as well as not releasing its source code under the terms of the GPL. The company's use of Linux was deemed by the court to be in violation of the GPL under which Linux is distributed. The licence allows for the reuse of the code, but requires that developers grant public access to all the source code and provide a copy of the full licence text.. Fortinet is confronted with a judicial decision for concealing Linux code and infringing upon open-source licenses, affecting its ability to distribute products.. Fortinet Security, GPL Compliance, Linux Concealment, Open Source Litigation, Fortigate Products. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
A Linux programmer reported a new victory in a German court Thursday in enforcing the General Public License, which governs countless projects in the free and open-source software realms. A Munich district court on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction barring Fortinet, a maker of multipurpose security devices, from distributing products that include a Linux component called "initrd" that Harald Welte helped write. . In addition to being a Linux programmer, Welte runs an operation called the GPL Violations project that attempts to encourage companies shipping products incorporating GPL software to abide by the license terms. The license lets anyone use GPL software in products without paying a fee, but it requires that they provide the underlying source code for the GPL components when they ship such a product. The case highlights the ease with which open-source software can spread across the computing industry--but also the growing pains that companies face as they adjust to new legal concepts underlying the collaborative programming approach. Fortinet, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., said in a statement it's addressing the issue but is surprised that Welte resorted to legal action.. A recent court ruling in favor of an open-source developer highlights the critical role of GPL upholding in software licensing agreements.. GPL Violations Project, Open Source, Software Licensing. . Brittany Day
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