Sky breaching GPL - take action!

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

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Hi guys,

After some thinking, I've come to the conclusion that Sky are breaking the terms of the GNU Public Licence (GPL). Their custom firmware (which causes so many problems even when you try to flash it!) contains GPL open source code.

The terms of the licence state that anybody can modify open sourced GPL code, and redistribute it. This is what Sky did when they changed the firmware and made it their own. That's all fine.

BUT the GPL also states that ALL programs containing GPL code must also be accompanied by the full source code. Sky do NOT provide the source code with their routers and/or firmware. This is a clear breach of the GPL's terms.

If we had the full source code, we'd be able to make the flashing process easier - in other words enable even Sky routers to be upgraded to, say, UberGT firmware WITHOUT the hassle. Just using the web upgrade interface.

So in that vein I've sent Sky a complaint demanding the source code for their firmware. I STRONGLY urge you all to do the same, as they're breaking the basic tenets of the free and open source software (FOSS) ethos. It's also unlawful.

Go HERE and select (1) I would like information about Sky Broadband (2) Equipment (3) Sky Broadband Box.

Then send this:

Sky supplies the Netgear DG834GT ADSL/2+ router, which contains open source GNU Pubilc Licenced "GPL" code. This code is protected by copyright law and part of the conditions of using this code state that it MAY be modified (hence Sky customising it) but that any derived product MUST be distributed WITH the new source code IN FULL.

To my knowledge, Sky are NOT supplying the source code with their routers. This is a breach of the GNU Public Licence. Can you please confirm what Sky are doing to remedy this, and can you please foward me a copy of the full source code for the Sky router firmware as required by the terms of the licence Sky accepted when they modified the original GNU Public Licenced code?

Should Sky fail to comply I will have no recourse but to report this breach to the Free Software Foundation's legal team. Thanks in advance.
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Hopefully if enough of us complain they'll REALLY take some notice. Either way, if only myself and my mates do it they're still gonna have to act as they're breaking the terms of the very licence they're imposing on their customers. You've NOTHING to lose. You're simply joining in and asking Sky to honour the GPL to keep free software free :)

Thanks in advance,

Lee
 
Now I acctually think you did a good job. That is acctually true and made me think. Unfortionatly I broke sky's rules and just sold the router under my 12 month contract and just bought a different one. Problem solved. But.. Yes.. You are right, they are breaking the GPL terms!!!
 
Interesting point. I much prefer the NetGear firmware too... I don't like the Sky one that much as they have removed many of the options like DNS servers etc.
 
Don't forget guys, you don't need to be a Sky customer for this - it's FOSS for a reason. You don't need to pay their subs to get their code, that's the whole point! ;)

Will update with any responses.
 
Rainmaker said:
Don't forget guys, you don't need to be a Sky customer for this - it's FOSS for a reason. You don't need to pay their subs to get their code, that's the whole point! ;)

Will update with any responses.
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WHOOOOOOOOH!!!!! Thanks!
 
andrewbell1984 said:
Now I acctually think you did a good job. That is acctually true and made me think. Unfortionatly I broke sky's rules and just sold the router under my 12 month contract and just bought a different one. Problem solved. But.. Yes.. You are right, they are breaking the GPL terms!!!
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I thought all the details were hard-coded into the Netgear router they supply... how did you get your new one to work?
 
SiriusB, it's an easy matter to extract the user name and password from a Sky router (just backup the config and read it in notepad/wordpad). Then just flash the router or put the username/pass in a new router ;)
 
I know someone who works at sky, in a fairly high position. I'll ask him about this the next time I see him (which I am unsure when it will be)

Failing that, I could knock on their HQ's door next time I visit me mum's (<1/2mile away) and ask for a copy of the source :p
 
If someone distribute GPL based code they only have to make available the source, not supply it. Has anyone asked them for the source code?
 
So as they dont need to supply it. only make available, how about before we all go jumping on the band wagon we wait and see what happens with rainmaker.
 
Hi guys,

Under GPLv2 s3, machine-readable source must be available with the product, or otherwise the product must contain a written offer valid for at least three years that the recipient may be given a machine-readable copy of that source on request.

Sky/Netgear only include the standard link to Netgear's original firmware, which contravenes (so far as I can see) the GPL. I have consulted some other folks who specialise in the GPL in a couple of different countries, and they agree. Skype was rapped by a German court for just this - they didn't include source with their product (a USB phone), and when they later added a leaflet with an URL to the source, again the court ruled that it was insufficient and the code should accompany the product itself.

Here's section 3 of the GPLv2:
3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.) The source code for a work means the preferred form of the work for making modifications to it. For an executable work, complete source code means all the source code for all modules it contains, plus any associated interface definition files, plus the scripts used to control compilation and installation of the executable. However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable.
If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent access to copy the source code from the same place counts as distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
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As I've said, I'm just hoping interested folks will ping Sky and say "Hey, we want the GPL code..." and see what happens. Will be interesting to see what materialises.
 
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