I'm inferring intent because they pulled it a few days after my GPL request and their support department even indicated it was because of my request(messages below verbatim), note that the firmware binary download was available before I had sent my GPL requests and was removed within a week or so of my source code request. For example they pulled firmware off their website for this router here http://support.linksys.com/en-us/support/routers/WRT600N and there are a few dozen more they pulled since I sent GPL requests for a number of different routers that they were still distributing firmware for on their website. Rather than abide by the GPL they mass purged all their firmware downloads from their site and claimed the routers were EOL for over 3 years and that was why they were not providing GPL source code, even though they still distributed the firmware at the time which makes the device being EOL irrelevant. I have emailed their press contact about this but have yet to receive a response. Previously he had escalated my request for the WRT600N source code which the open source manager then said they would try and provide, however I have still not received any source for that router and there is no indication of when or if I will.
Message from general tech support about binary firmware: Due to the GPL (General Purpose License) rules that govern the use of this firmware, we are no longer able to provide this firmware for download. We always provide firmware updates for our devices specially to fix bugs or issues. But there are certain rules govern by the networking organization which we also follow. Message from open source manager about GPL source code: 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. We will be also adding the GPL codes for products that are currently shipping. On Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Thomas Charron <[email protected]> wrote: > Can you give specific examples? Your inferring intent. > > On Mon, Oct 21, 2013 at 3:45 AM, James Hilliard <[email protected] > > wrote: > >> I sent a GPL request for router firmware I had downloaded from the >> linksys support website. Instead of providing source they have mass deleted >> older firmware from their website in an attempt to avoid providing source >> code. This has all happened within the last month. >> > > -- > -- Thomas >
