Controversial networking company, Cisco, has admitted that its Linux-based WIP300 iPhone does not comply with the general public license (GPL) that regulates the use of Linux.

Cisco WIP300: in violation of license

The issue was raised with Cisco in October by open-source researcher, Armijn Hemel, who works for Loohuis Consulting, and who’s one half of the duo behind the GPL Violations Project. 

The GPL requires that Cisco publishes any code that it develops for the WIP300, which is hasn’t done. In light of Cisco’s legal action against Apple over the iPhone trademark in the US, Hamel decided to go public late last week.

Funnily enough, Cisco PR machine sprang into action quite quickly:

“Based on our investigation, Cisco is taking steps to resolve a single issue raised regarding this product’s compliance with the GNU General Public License, or GPL,” wrote John Earnhardt, senior manager of global media operations, on the Cisco news blog.

“Compliance with open standards is very important to us and we will continue to take the necessary actions to ensure we are meeting the requirements of open source licenses we use.”

That’s very big of Cisco, but that’s like agreeing to pay for something after you’ve already been caught stealing it.

Using “free” software, like GPL software, can save manufacturers considerable amounts of money. But the fact of the matter is, GPL software  is not public domain, and therefore there are license conditions that must be met.

Since Cisco is currently suing Apple over the iPhone trademark, you don’t need to be an Apple fan to appreciate the the irony of this whole situation.

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Entry was posted on Monday, January 22nd, 2007 at 5:55 pm under Technology.

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