Judge Signals Win for Software Freedom Conservancy in Vizio GPL Case
6 days ago
- #GPL
- #LegalCase
- #OpenSource
- A California judge tentatively supports Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC) in its GPL case against Vizio's SmartCast TVs, but the final ruling is pending.
- SFC claims Vizio violated GPLv2 and LGPLv2.1 by not providing source code for Linux, BusyBox, and other software used in SmartCast TVs.
- SFC's standing is as a purchaser, not a copyright holder, of a Vizio TV.
- Judge Sandy N. Leal issued a tentative ruling favoring SFC's demand for source code, but the final decision awaits further hearings.
- GPL and open source licenses have been upheld in courts since the early 2000s, setting precedents for compliance.
- Past cases, like those against Monsoon Multimedia, Xterasys, and Verizon, were settled with source code releases and compliance commitments.
- Vizio, acquired by Walmart for $2.3 billion, is a formidable opponent with significant resources.
- Walmart plans to make Vizio a private label brand, ending sales at Amazon and Best Buy.