Microsoft acknowledges own GPL infringement
Even Microsoft can’t resist new technology. In order to be up with the times, they have added a nice tool for download to create a USB version. Unfortunately this was done without paying attention to the GPLv2.
The possible GPL violating Microsoft tool WUDT was first called into question by withinwindows.com. According to this site, Windows 7 USB/DVD tool from the ESD version of Windows 7 which can be used to create a bootable USB medium or a DVD contains code which does not originate from Microsoft and therefore is covered by the GPL.
After this information began to circulate, Microsoft removed the freely available software from the website and announced they would look into the matter. The community manager Peter Galli of the Microsoft facilitated Open Source site port25 confirmed that an infringement of the GPL was indeed the matter at hand:
"After looking at the code in question, we are now able to confirm this was indeed the case, although it was not intentional on our part. While we had contracted with a third party to create the tool, we share responsibility as we did not catch it as part of our code review process. We have furthermore conducted a review of other code provided through the Microsoft Store and this was the only incident of this sort we could find."
Allegedly, the software did not come from Microsoft and Microsoft did not pay close enough attention while reviewing the code. This slip provided the motivation for the company to examine further software for possible GPL infringement and upon doing so established that no other software was the cause of such a breach.
In order to comply with the terms of the GPL, Microsoft now needs to license the tool under the GPL. The source code of the tool is to be released next week.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.