Serge Croteau wrote on 04 August 2008 16:35:
> Hi,
>
> We are using the MontaVista release of gcc. We had a 30 days license
> from MontaVista for their DevRocket development platform.
>
> We had a big surprise when the license expired. Gcc stopped working from
> the command line and displayed a message stating the license time
> expired.
> CC arch/arm/kernel/asm-offsets.s
> error: Error: a valid MontaVista license key could not be found.
>
> The license files (or license server system network addresses)
> attempted are listed below. Use LM_LICENSE_FILE to use a different
> license file, or contact MontaVista license support at
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance.
>
> For information about license keys and the GPL, visit:
>
> The license manager error is:
>
> Feature has expired.
> Feature: MV_GCC
> Expire date: 31-may-2008
> License path: E:\Documents and Settings\scroteau\.flexnet-mvista
> FLEXnet Licensing error:-10,32
> For further information, refer to the FLEXnet Licensing End User Guide,
> available at "www.macrovision.com".
>
> Your host ID(s) are: "0011d8033e68 0080c8f76129 005056c00001 005056c00008"
> arm_v6_vfp_le-gcc: mvl-license: non-zero exit status
The GPL is perfectly clear.
There's nothing to stop anyone making modified versions of GCC, such as a
modified version with a license manager in it; but if they distribute it to
you in binary form, they are still legally bound by the GPL to give you the
source codes for that modified version at your request, and you are still
legally entitled by the GPL to further modify and distribute it at your
whim.
So there's nothing in the world to stop you getting their sources and just
hacking out the license-checking code and rebuilding. This is a perfect
example of the GPL protecting your freedom in action!
(If they refuse to give the sources to you, it is an open-and-shut case of
GPL violation and should be drawn to the attention of the FSF, perhaps via
the gpl-violations.org website or related mailing list. But try just asking
nicely first; most companies will live up to their obligations with no more
than a bit of gentle prodding, if you don't jump down their throat in
attack-mode from the word go.)
cheers,
DaveK
--
Can't think of a witty .sigline today....
