PSA: Elegoo Centauri Carbon and GPL Compliance
12 days ago
- #GPL Violation
- #Open Source
- #3D Printing
- Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D printer uses a modified version of Klipper firmware, violating GPL-3.0 license by not releasing source code.
- Technical evidence includes binary analysis showing Klipper MCU code paths, unsupported Xtensa architecture, and transpiled Python code in the host software.
- Network traffic investigation reveals excessive data usage (70GB+ monthly) with connections to Apple servers.
- Community support includes technical analysis, advocacy, and legal insights, with many members emailing Elegoo for compliance.
- Elegoo's response consists of canned, possibly AI-generated replies, frustrating the community.
- Community suggests involving the Klipper team or Software Freedom Conservancy to enforce GPL compliance.
- Users are encouraged to email Elegoo, share information, and support open-source alternatives.