In response to recent attacks on Open Source Software from proprietary software vendors, Lineo has announced a new tool which is intended to assist developers in identifying the licenses within system software components. The tool is said to identify up to 40 different software licenses including GPL, LGPL, BSD, Artistic, and many others. The tool, along with a new Lineo “anti-FUD” initiative, are announced in the following open letter from Lineo VP Tim Bird to the Embedded Linux and Open Source developer community . . .

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Setting the record straight
Date: August 7, 2001

RE: Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) about the combination of open source and proprietary source code and solutions

To: Embedded developers evaluating the inclusion of Linux and other open source technologies

The embedded system and device industry is experiencing a sharp increase in the deployment of solutions that combine open source and proprietary technologies. Meanwhile, lack of detailed information about the usage of open source software coupled with active campaigning by traditional embedded software companies has created FUD for developers evaluating an open source / proprietary solution.

Therefore, many embedded developers assume that including open source as a component of an overall solution forces them to publish the combined solution to the open source community. This assumption is not correct.

Lineo is on a mission to set the record straight while providing leadership and expertise in the area of combined open source and proprietary solutions. Lineo assists the developer community with legal, practical, and simple means to maintain project ownership while combining open source with proprietary code in embedded solutions.

As a first step toward resolving FUD, Lineo has developed the Lineo Embedix SDK GPL Compliance Toolset that helps developers identify and comply with open source and proprietary licenses while decreasing overall development time. When initiated against the developer's software project, this toolset identifies source code pulled from more than 40 common licenses, such as GPL, LGPL, BSD, Artistic, and Lineo, via the following quick and complete process:

1. The Code Review Wizard evaluates developer coding habits and areas of exposure.

2. The Library Check scans all executables and used libraries for associated libraries.

3. The License Report Wizard lists all licenses used within the project.

To the developer, this process is equivalent to having a legal assistant sitting at your
development station. This toolset, as well as many other Lineo Embedix tools, technologies and processes, give developers broad assistance in creating embedded solutions that are stable, require less development time and deploy the latest in technological advancements. The Lineo Embedix SDK GPL Compliance Toolset will be demonstrated at LinuxWorld, booth #783, from August 28 – 30.

We invite developers to contact Lineo and receive answers to concerns and questions related to the combination of open source and proprietary source code and solutions.

Sincerely,

Tim Bird,
VP, Research, Lineo, Inc.

Contact Us:
Web: www.lineo.com
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (801) 426-5001

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