[License-discuss] Why will no-one sue GrSecurity for their blatant GPL violation (of GCC and the linux kernel)?

[Pamela Chestek]

I believe you have emailed the wrong entity; this is a list hosted by
the Open Source Initiative. You can contact the Free Software Foundation
at info at fsf.org.

Best regards,

Pamela Chestek
Chair, License Review Committee
Open Source Initiative

On 11/7/2019 12:26 PM, gameonlinux at redchan.it wrote:
> RMS:
> Could you share your thoughts, if any, of why no one will sue
> GrSecurity ("Open Source Security" (a Pennsylvania company)) for their
> blatant violation of section 6 of version 2 of the GNU General Public
> License?
>
> Both regarding their GCC plugins and their Linux-Kernel patch which is
> a non-separable derivative work?
>
> They distribute such under a no-redistribution agreement to paying
> customers (the is the only distribution they do). If the customer
> redistributes the derivative works they are punished.
>
> That is: GrSecurity (OSS) has created a contract to /Defeat/ the GPL
> and has done so successfully so far. Very successfully. The GPL is
> basically the BSD license now, since such as been allowed to stand.
>
> This is how businesses see the GPL. They are no longer afraid: They
> will simply do what GrSecurity has done. Something that was supposed
> to stay liberated: a security patch that helped users maintain their
> privacy by not being immediately rooted when using a linux kernel on a
> GNU system; is now non-free.
>
> With this the GPL _fails_.
>
> NO ONE has sued GrSecurity. Thus they are seen as "having it right"
> "correct" "we can do this".
>
> Wouldn't the FSF have standing regarding the GCC plugins atleast?
> Couldn't you all rally linux-kernel copyright holders to bring a joint
> action?
>
> References:
> perens.com/2017/06/28/warning-grsecurity-potential-contributory-infringement-risk-for-customers/
>
>
> perens.com/static/OSS_Spenger_v_Perens/0_2018cv15189/docs1/pdf/18.pdf
> (Page 10 onward of this brief gives a good recitation of the facts and
> issues
>
>
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