Entities refusing to distribute copyleft licensed software under license terms

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TODO: Please rename the title of this article to something like "Entities refusing to distribute copyleft licensed software". I do not have that permission (or I can't find how I can do it myself). Once done, please remove this TODO paragraph.

Many open source licenses require entities to distribute their modyfied version of copyleft source code to customers that have bought their products and request for it. However, this practice is rarely enforced and some companies actively refuse to distribute source code in flagrant violation of the law.

TODO: Explain issue of "code bombs" including the Apple WebKit/KHTML situation

Licenses

Permissive Licenses

Permissive licensed software do not require distribution of source code. This means that if a company is using a permissive license, you can not request for their source code. Examples include:

• MIT
• BSD
• TODO (Add more)

Copyleft Licenses

Copyleft licenses give you the freedom to ask an entity for the source code. It does not matter if it is from the original vendor or from a distributor. Examples of such licenses include:

• GPL 2/3
• MPL
• TODO (Add more)

Enforcers

The Software Freedom Conservancy is a non profit organization in order to combat this issue. However, in practice, they usually have long lead times and encourage the user to file a suit instead.

Bad Examples

Linux Kernel

Refusing kernel source code is bad since customers don't get custom ROMs like LineageOS or Linux distributions like postmarketOS.

Alarm.com

Alarm.com is a SAAS company. They collaborate with multiple hardware vendors to get their security software running on their devices, which primarily run Android. In relation to Qolsys's experience, they actively refused to provide the Linux kernel source code. They also do not have a webpage showcasing where to download source code.

AVM

AVM is a German company that produces routers and smart home devices. While they disclosed their modified Linux Kernel source code, key build scripts were missing. It was only after they were sued by a software developer that they released them.

Cricket

Cricket is a mobile network carrier that also sells Android phones. As they are a distributor of Android phones, which run Linux, they are required by law to distribute the source code to customers who ask for it. However, in practice, customers are actively turned away by customer support. They also do not have a webpage showcasing where to download source code.

Qolsys

Most of Qolsys's products run Android, however when asking customer support for the source code for the IQP4, they actively refused to provide it. When pressed they will ignore you. They also do not have a webpage showcasing where to download source code.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi's devices are running Android, which is built on top of the Linux kernel. The Linux kernel is licensed under the GPLv2, which requires the source code of derivative works to be made available. Xiaomi does release the kernel sources for many of their devices in their GitHub repository, but not for all.

The kernel sources for some Xiaomi devices are unavailable, they include:

• Redmi Note 13 4G/NFC
• Redmi 13C 4G
• Poco M5
• TODO: add more items

This, along with Xiaomi Phone unlock requirements and procedure prevents custom ROMs from being made for these devices.

Good Examples

Google

https://source.android.com/opensourcerequest

Samsung

https://opensource.samsung.com/uploadList?menuItem=mobile