My friend picked up a Linksys BEFSR81 router
(<http://msupport.linksys.com/en-us/support/routers/BEFSR81>) at D[EFF]con, and
we're working on modding/hacking it. However, we can't find the source code for
it.
We've contacted Linksys tech support and they claim that they /"used to"/
provide the source code upon request. However, the support person claimed that
because the router has been EOL ("End of Life") for 3 years, they are unable to
provide us with the source code.
As far as we know, Linksys runs Linux. Linux is licensed under the GPLv2. They
even mention in the email that the source code is open source ("open source
based source code"). I'm pretty sure this is a clear violation.
We've sent off an email to their legal department, but have yet to receive a
response. For reference, here is the convorsation with the support team. I've
added a screenshot link below. Also, his name /isn't/ Terry Morrison:
Cisco [Auto-Response]:
> Thank you for contacting the office of the Open Source Manager located within
> Linksys. Please allow 2-3 business days for our office to get back to you.
> Please note the purpose of this office is to handle Open Source
> inquiries/requests for Linksys products/services.
> If you need assistance troubleshooting your product, visit our Linksys
> Support website www.linksys.com/support where you will find Downloads, Guide
> Me, FAQs, Community Forums, Videos and Live Chat.
> To contact us, visitsupport.linksys.com/contactus
> Thank you and have a great day.
"Terry":
> Hi I talked to your twitter support about getting the firmware and/or the
> source code for the BEFSR81 ver. 3 router. I also wanted to know if I could
> get a diagram depicting the serial port pinouts on the board.
> Thank You, Terry Morrison
"Terry" [image attached]:
> I hope you get the picture, can you please show me where the serial port
> pinouts are and the labels of them?
> Thank You, Terry Morrison
Cisco [Nazareno Ian L. (18156)]:
> Thank you for contacting the Office of the Open Source Manager.
> The product you requested has been in EOL status for more than 3 years. As a
> result, we are no longer providing open source-based source code for this
> device. You may check firmware availability by visiting
> http://support.linksys.com.
Cisco:
> Thank you for using our E-mail support system. We appreciate your business
> and strive to provide excellent service. A summary of your initial e-mail and
> our responses are included below. We hope we've been able to assist you. If
> not, please contact us again by replying to this message.
> Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
> Please enter your reply in the space below. Text entered anywhere else in the
> reply will be discarded.
> [===> Please enter your reply below this line <===]
> Hi, I'm wondering why you have stopped providing the source code for this
> device. Your routers run Linux and are therefore open source. I'm not trying
> to be rude, but you must have a copy lying around somewhere...
> [===> Please enter your reply above this line <===]
For reference, here is a screenshot of the email:
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwerzfujdz2pgoc/Photo%20Aug%2008%2C%209%2041%2028%20AM.png>
Is this a violation? If so, can we do something about it and not bring it back
to Chad? Please?
----
Cole Johnson
-- E-mail: [email protected]
-- Twitter: @5urd
Hexware, LLC
-- Twitter: @HexwareLLC
