<Quote>
Mr. Hemel serves as a volunteer watchman for free, open-source
software like the Linux operating system, which competes with
Microsoft=92s Windows. The use of free software has exploded,
particularly in gadgets as varied as exercise bikes, energy meters and
smartphones. Companies like Google, TiVo and Sony often opt to
piggyback on the work of others rather than going through the ordeal
of building all of the software for their products from scratch.

The problem that Mr. Hemel and others have stumbled upon is that some
companies, even some technology savvy ones, may be violating the
rather easy-to-follow requirements associated with free software
licenses.
</Quote>

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/business/26ping.html?hpw

nessuno wrote:

> <Quote> Mr. Hemel serves as a volunteer watchman for free,
> open-source software like the Linux operating system, which competes
> with Microsoft�s Windows. The use of free software has exploded, 
> particularly in gadgets as varied as exercise bikes, energy meters
> and smartphones. Companies like Google, TiVo and Sony often opt to 
> piggyback on the work of others rather than going through the ordeal 
> of building all of the software for their products from scratch.
> 
> The problem that Mr. Hemel and others have stumbled upon is that
> some companies, even some technology savvy ones, may be violating
> the rather easy-to-follow requirements associated with free software 
> licenses. </Quote>
> 
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/26/business/26ping.html?hpw

The difference with this type of program is that they seek voluntary
compliance first.  Then when there is a refusal for compliance, it
escalates into a lawsuit.

Instead with the SBA, they go for the gut.  This is what Sterling Ball
complained about.  They were fined $95,000.  If instead they were
approached and allowed to voluntarily comply, Ernie Ball would have most
likely continued as a Microsoft Windows shop.

He is grateful that they woke him up.  Instead of Microsoft pocketing
the money for software licenses, he has been saving that repeatedly for
the past 10 years, on top of hardware costs for not having to upgrade on
someone else's schedule.

-- 
HPT

On 2010-09-26, High Plains Thumper <hpt@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
> Instead with the SBA, they go for the gut.  This is what Sterling Ball
> complained about.  They were fined $95,000.  If instead they were
> approached and allowed to voluntarily comply, Ernie Ball would have most
> likely continued as a Microsoft Windows shop.

You mean the 'BSA' don't you? Business Software Alliance... 

> He is grateful that they woke him up.  Instead of Microsoft pocketing
> the money for software licenses, he has been saving that repeatedly for
> the past 10 years, on top of hardware costs for not having to upgrade on
> someone else's schedule.

I've used Ernie Ball guitar strings for more years than I care to
remember. A very good product. I'll continue to use them especially now
that I know he supports open source software.

It's good to hear success stories among private companies willing to
shift to open source software. It's unfortunate that the message doesn't
get more mainstream coverage.

-- 
Regards,

Gregory.
Gentoo Linux - Penguin Power

Gregory Shearman wrote:
> High Plains Thumper wrote:
> 
>> Instead with the SBA, they go for the gut.  This is what Sterling
>> Ball complained about.  They were fined $95,000.  If instead they
>> were approached and allowed to voluntarily comply, Ernie Ball would
>> have most likely continued as a Microsoft Windows shop.
> 
> You mean the 'BSA' don't you? Business Software Alliance...

Yes.

>> He is grateful that they woke him up.  Instead of Microsoft
>> pocketing the money for software licenses, he has been saving that
>> repeatedly for the past 10 years, on top of hardware costs for not
>> having to upgrade on someone else's schedule.
> 
> I've used Ernie Ball guitar strings for more years than I care to 
> remember. A very good product. I'll continue to use them especially
> now that I know he supports open source software.
> 
> It's good to hear success stories among private companies willing to 
> shift to open source software. It's unfortunate that the message
> doesn't get more mainstream coverage.

It makes one wonder why Bill Gates' philanthropy endeavors are 
purchasing newspaper agencies.  I have a feeling that most just do and 
feel that it is no one else's business as to what they run.

-- 
HPT