Fairphone violating the GPL

[Tobias Platen]

Hello

I tried to build a custom kernel for the Fairphone, but I got an error
message:

make ARC=arm defconfig

alps/kernel/arch/arm/Makefile:237:
alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile: No such file or directory
make: *** No rule to make target `alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile'. Stop.

It seems that the Fairphone (or its ODM) is violating the GPL.
I downloaded the kernel from bit.ly/1g5PXRz.

Tobias Platen

[Carsten Agger]

What makes you conclude this is a violation of the GPL? It looks more like a technical glitch to me.

Post by Tobias Platen
Hello
I tried to build a custom kernel for the Fairphone, but I got an error
make ARC=arm defconfig
alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile: No such file or directory
make: *** No rule to make target `alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile'.
Stop.
It seems that the Fairphone (or its ODM) is violating the GPL.
I downloaded the kernel from bit.ly/1g5PXRz.
Tobias Platen
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[Tobias Platen]

Post by Carsten Agger
What makes you conclude this is a violation of the GPL? It looks
more like a technical glitch to me.
On 8. feb. 2014 11.04.03 CET, Tobias Platen

Post by Tobias Platen
Hello
I tried to build a custom kernel for the Fairphone, but I got an
make ARC=arm defconfig
No such file or directory make: *** No rule to make target
`alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile'. Stop.
It seems that the Fairphone (or its ODM) is violating the GPL. I
downloaded the kernel from bit.ly/1g5PXRz.
Tobias Platen _______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list Discussion at fsfeurope.org
https://mail.fsfeurope.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion

The source code is incomplete, so you can't build your own kernel

[Albert Dengg]

Hi,

Tobias Platen <tobias at platen-software.de> wrote:
...

Post by Tobias Platen
The source code is incomplete, so you can't build your own kernel

Without beeing able to check, as i don't have a fairphone:
Do they actually ship the module that fails to build in the binary image?

Also: have you contacted them?
While still a violation, there is always a difference between a mistake (and fixing it) or doing it on purpose....
Regards,
Albert

[Tobias Platen]

Hi,
Tobias Platen <tobias at platen-software.de> wrote: ...

Post by Tobias Platen
The source code is incomplete, so you can't build your own
kernel

Without beeing able to check, as i don't have a fairphone: Do they
actually ship the module that fails to build in the binary image?
Also: have you contacted them? While still a violation, there is
always a difference between a mistake (and fixing it) or doing it
on purpose.... Regards, Albert
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I wrote a complaint, but I dont think that fairphone will be able to
change the situation. I also found some leaked source code at
http://bit.ly/1dxkUtu that carries a proprietery license. Some other
developers also state that the kernel source code is incomplete.

It may be possible that the ODM Changhong has signed an NDA with
Mediatek (I don't know) and is unable to release the source code of
the chipset. That practice is common among Chinese ODMs, therefore
Rhombus-Tech created their own design from scratch.

Tobias Platen

[Dr. H. Nikolaus Schaller]

Post by Tobias Platen
make ARC=arm defconfig

Shouldn't you specify ARCH=arm?

[Sean Leonard]

Have you asked them to provide the missing source?

Post by Tobias Platen
Hello
I tried to build a custom kernel for the Fairphone, but I got an error
make ARC=arm defconfig
alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile: No such file or directory
make: *** No rule to make target `alps/kernel/mediatek/Makefile'. Stop.
It seems that the Fairphone (or its ODM) is violating the GPL.
I downloaded the kernel from bit.ly/1g5PXRz.
Tobias Platen
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[Torsten Grote]

Post by Sean Leonard
Have you asked them to provide the missing source?

They've been asked publicly in forums where they are represented by their
community manager.

I've also asked them via email, but haven't heard back anything from them.

Kind Regards,
Torsten
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[Filip M. Nowak]

Hello,

Post by Torsten Grote

Post by Sean Leonard
Have you asked them to provide the missing source?

They've been asked publicly in forums where they are represented by their
community manager.
I've also asked them via email, but haven't heard back anything from them.

Some time ago I've contacted guys at licensing at fsf.org - they've been
really proactive and helpful so perhaps it's good idea to report this
case to them.

Post by Torsten Grote
Kind Regards,
Torsten

All the best,
Filip