Angus Gratton wrote:> On Wed, May 29, 2013 at 08:55:54AM +0200, Oliver
Schinagl wrote:
>> >If the kernel is distributed as part of a rom, I could understand the
>> >readme being visible inside of the zip, but the "offer" seems to
be for
>> >kernel releases.
>> >
>>
>> That's an interesting concept, and since I'm no legal expert nor am
>> I a lawyer, I only voice my opinion.
>>
>> It is highly unlikely (possible it's a kernel module that exports it
>> as virtual file) that it is part of the kernel. Actually, the readme
>> is part of the ROM, or rather disk-image, which isn't really an
>> offer with the kernel.
>
> FWIW, I think Android relies on something similar with it's
> About->Legal option. All the legal notices including kernel details
> are there, accessible that way on the device itself and also in a
> plaintext file on the filesystem image.
yes, but Google also ships a written GPL offer in paper form, all the
Nexus devices I have seen so far have that.
> As far as I know some vendors will also ship printed legal notices in
> the box, but I believe not all of them do this.
>
> IANAL Google's legal minds seem to think this is OK, and in my
> personal opinion it's also compliant with the spirit of the GPL.
About->Legal has more than just the GPL, there are also all the other
licenses that demand mention, but not a written offer for source code.
