Qualcomm has forced GitHub to remove over 100 repositories due to "unauthorized publication, disclosure, and copying of highly sensitive, confidential, trade secret, and copyright-protected documents." Among the repositories taken down were repos for CyanogenMod and Sony Xperia. The issue though is that some of these "highly sensitive" and "confidential" files are Linux kernel code and reference/sample code files that can be easily found elsewhere, including the Android kernel, but GitHub has complied with Qualcomm's DMCA request.
You may wish to ban any Qualcomm WiFi from at your next purchase. Anything named ath, Atheros, AR etc. Full list of their DMCA spree. The hired gun is Cyveillance a part of the Qinetiq corporation. Which to accomplish their search for infringements use plenty of transfer capacity, denial operation through accept-read-write timeout attack, ignore robots.txt, falsified user-agent, ignore cease and desist letters, and may show up as PSINet.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DarkMorph on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:02AM
(Score: 5, Funny) by Horse With Stripes on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:09AM
SCO didn't learn anything from SCO.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:17AM
FTFY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:24AM
Well Microsoft used them and throw them away. Learning probably doesn't apply at all.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday July 07 2014, @11:53AM
Well Microsoft used them and threw them away. Learning probably doesn't apply at all.
FTFY
(Score: 3, Informative) by c0lo on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:30AM
Ok, suppose that I want to ban etc. How is the linked piece supposed to inform me which products to avoid? (note: all I can see there is "Repository unavailable due to DMCA takedown")
If informing me which products to avoid was not the purpose of that link, then what was the actual purpose?
Yeap, I can see an entire list of repos being banned (following the Qualcomm's DMCA request [github.com]), what makes the one I quoted above so special?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 4, Informative) by kaszz on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:39AM
It shows explicitly that Qualcomm hurts driver projects. Hardware without drivers are quite useless.
The most useful advice is likely to avoid anything named "ath, Atheros, AR etc" and the same goes for Broadcomm that also play hard to get.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by anubi on Sunday July 06 2014, @03:54AM
Interesting concept Americans have.
Step 1:
Approach Congressman.
"People are finding out and discussing how our stuff works! Be a Team Player and Protect our Business Model! Pass LAW to say they can't do this!!! ( Congressman shakes their hand and passes the law they wanted... ).
Step 2:
Approach Congressman.
"We can't find anyone in the USA that knows how our stuff works! Be a Team Player to Protect our Business Interest! Increase the quota of H1-B we can hire from outside our country, where our laws do not apply! ( Congressman takes out pen and signs H1-B increase... ).
Step 3:
Approach Congressman.
"People are not spending! Be a Team Player to Protect our Business Model! Have the Banks issue giveaway Loans so people can Borrow the Money to buy our Stuff!
See where this is going?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @06:21PM
>>Congressman takes their money and passes the law they wanted...
There... I fixed your spelling mistake.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Sunday July 06 2014, @06:48PM
People becoming debt slaves to corporate monoliths just like in the good old feudal times! ;-)
(Score: 1) by anubi on Monday July 07 2014, @01:22AM
Tennessee Ernie Ford saw exactly what is going on... and this was in the 50's! [youtube.com]
The link is to a YouTube song: "16 Tons", by Tennessee Ernie Ford... the original one from 1956.
One of the comments on YouTube:
Those who do not heed history are often condemned to repeat it.
I was kid when that came out! It was on a 78 RPM record.. the 45's were just starting to come out.
My dad liked it a lot.
Years later I found out why.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 5, Informative) by kaszz on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:36AM
Copy of the Qualcomm lawyer letter [github.com] at github if it were for some reason to disappear.
Dear Sir or Madam:
Cyveillance is authorized to act on behalf of QUALCOMM Incorporated and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (collectively, "Qualcomm") in requesting removal of its copyrighted works from Internet sites. Under the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512) and other applicable U.S. and international statutes, Cyveillance provides this notification of claimed infringement and requests that you immediately remove certain documents from your web site and/or disable access to those documents through your web site.
Cyveillance has recently discovered the unauthorized publication, disclosure, and copying of highly sensitive, confidential, trade secret, and copyright-protected documents on the below web site. Specifically, we have confirmed that the documents whose locations and filenames identified below are confidential and proprietary to Qualcomm and were posted without Qualcomm’s permission.
The unauthorized copying, disclosure and distribution of Qualcomm’s confidential trade secret and/or copyright-protected documents constitute a violation of both civil and criminal trade secret and copyright laws. If you are disseminating or aiding and abetting the dissemination of these documents, you are violating Qualcomm’s intellectual property rights, and could be subject to severe civil and criminal penalties.
Based on our preliminary investigation, we believe that this web site is owned and/or controlled by you. Cyveillance, therefore, demands that you immediately (1) remove these documents from any of the web sites under your control and/or disable access to these documents through any of the web sites under your control, and (2) destroy any and all copies of the documents that you possess.
We also request that you identify to us your source(s) for these documents, so that we may contact them and request that they delete and/or remove the documents that they possess as well.
Qualcomm takes these issues very seriously, and may pursue legal action against individuals and organizations that take part in the unauthorized dissemination of its confidential trade secret and/or copyright-protected documents. We look forward to your prompt cooperation. Please send written confirmation of your compliance with this request to us and to DocCtrlAgent@qualcomm.com [mailto].
Qualcomm is the owner of an exclusive copyright for each of these documents. Cyveillance is authorized to act on behalf of Qualcomm, and has a good faith belief that the publication and/or disclosure by your web site is not authorized by Qualcomm, any of Qualcomm’s agents, or the law. I certify, under penalty of perjury, that the information in this notice is accurate.
Nothing herein shall constitute a waiver of any of Qualcomm’s rights in law or in equity, all of which are expressly reserved.
Please note the copyright disclaimer given on the following documents that we are requesting be removed:
"Copyright (c) 2012 Qualcomm…
All Rights Reserved.
Qualcomm … Confidential and Proprietary."
https://github.com/percy-g2/android_device_sony_nicki_stock_dump/blob/master/etc/xtwifi.conf [github.com]
https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android_device_sony_huashan/blob/cm-11.0/rootdir/system/etc/xtwifi.conf [github.com]
https://github.com/cattaka/android-dev-camp-2012/blob/master/FrameMarkers/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/FrameMarkers/Texture.java [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/IVirtualButtonEventHandler.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/VirtualButton.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARMacros.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/ece1778github/MAM-Viewer/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/Tracker.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/owenroberts/thesis/blob/master/android/ImageTests/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/ImageTargets/DebugLog.java [github.com]
https://github.com/joseguru/Will.i.reach/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/VideoPlayback/Texture.java [github.com]
https://github.com/LuisGit/ARPrototype/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARRenderer.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/vga-unity/gp11-android-0707/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARMacros.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/MasDennis/RajawaliVuforia/blob/master/RajawaliVuforia/jni/Android.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Plugins/iOS/QCARUnityPlayer.h [github.com]
https://github.com/joseguru/Will.i.reach/blob/master/jni/VideoPlaybackShaders.h [github.com]
https://github.com/LuisGit/ARPrototype/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/ImageTargetBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/ITrackableEventHandler.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARRenderer.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/MasDennis/RajawaliVuforia/blob/master/RajawaliVuforia/jni/Application.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/QuickBlox/AR_Image_Recognition-sample-ios/blob/master/IR_Puma/ImageTargets/.svn/text-base/ImageTargetsAppDelegate.mm.svn-base [github.com]
https://github.com/airgames/vuforia-gamekit-integration/blob/master/ImageTargets/build/include/QCAR/ImageTracker.h [github.com]
https://github.com/emersonmoretto/ImageTargets/blob/master/ImageTargets/EAGLView.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/kyleroche/Professional_iOS_AugmentedReality/blob/master/Ch9/Ch9/include/QCAR/UIGLViewProtocol.h [github.com]
https://github.com/Danchoys/ImageTargets-storyboard-sample/blob/master/build/include/QCAR/QCAR_iOS.h [github.com]
https://github.com/mxdubois/even-starrier-night/blob/master/Assets/Plugins/iOS/QCARUnityPlayer.h [github.com]
https://github.com/Duffycola/Vuforia-Wall/blob/master/ext/vuforia-samples/Dominoes/Dominoes/Dominoes.h [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Editor/QCAR/Scripts/WebCamEditor.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/SkylarC/Sphero-ANDROID/blob/master/SlingShotTarget/src/orbotix/slingshot/SlingShotRenderer.java [github.com]
https://github.com/Redth/ZXing.Net/blob/master/Clients/VuforiaDemo/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCAR.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/pkjmesra/VuforiaAugmentedReality/blob/master/ARCommon/QCARutils.h [github.com]
https://github.com/owenroberts/thesis/blob/master/android/ImageTests/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/ImageTargets/Texture.java [github.com]
https://github.com/ece1778github/MAM-Viewer/blob/master/Assets/Editor/QCAR/Scripts/MultiTargetAccessor.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/joseguru/Will.i.reach/blob/master/jni/Android.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/airgames/vuforia-gamekit-integration/blob/master/ImageTargets/build/include/QCAR/Tool.h [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/DefaultTrackableEventHandler.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/Redth/ZXing.Net/blob/master/Clients/VuforiaDemo/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARRuntimeUtilities.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Scripts/BackgroundTextureMenu.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/LuisGit/ARPrototype/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCAR.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/fabianschilling/dARts/blob/master/ARCommon/OverlayView.m [github.com]
https://github.com/pkjmesra/VuforiaAugmentedReality/blob/master/build/include/QCAR/UIGLViewProtocol.h [github.com]
https://github.com/pkjmesra/VuforiaAugmentedReality/blob/master/build/include/QCAR/Trackable.h [github.com]
https://github.com/pkjmesra/VuforiaAugmentedReality/blob/master/build/include/QCAR/QCAR.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/HDD/inc/wlan_hdd_p2p.h [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Scripts/VideoTextureBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/abhishekkeshri/vuforia-project/blob/master/jni/Android.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/abhishekkeshri/vuforia-project/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/CloudRecognition/CloudReco.java [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/HDD/src/wlan_hdd_hostapd.c [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/HDD/inc/wlan_hdd_main.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/VOSS/inc/vos_event.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/HDD/inc/wlan_hdd_cfg.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/WDI/DP/inc/wlan_qct_wdi_ds.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/VOSS/src/vos_sched.c [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/VOSS/src/vos_nvitem.c [github.com]
https://github.com/tjmolinski/Twister/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/DataSetLoadBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/sonyxperiadev/prima/blob/master/CORE/WDI/CP/src/wlan_qct_wdi_sta.c [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Scripts/CameraDeviceMenu.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/JALsnipe/AR_Demo/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/Internal/ComponentFactoryStarterBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Editor/QCAR/Scripts/VirtualButtonEditor.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/MultiTargetBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/Duffycola/Vuforia-Wall/blob/master/ext/vuforia-samples/ARCommon/AR_EAGLView.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/Duffycola/Vuforia-Wall/blob/master/ext/vuforia-samples/BackgroundTextureAccess/BackgroundTextureAccess/EAGLView.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/Redth/ZXing.Net/blob/master/Clients/VuforiaDemo/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/ITrackableEventHandler.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/ece1778github/MAM-Viewer/blob/master/Assets/Editor/QCAR/Scripts/MultiTargetEditor.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/ece1778github/MAM-Viewer/blob/master/Assets/Editor/QCAR/Scripts/SceneManager.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/troykershaw/Learn/blob/master/VideoPlayback/VideoPlayerHelper.m [github.com]
https://github.com/troykershaw/Learn/blob/master/VideoPlayback/EAGLView.h [github.com]
https://github.com/troykershaw/Learn/blob/master/VideoPlayback/VideoPlaybackAppDelegate.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/xtreme-ergin-babani/HackerMultiTarget/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/MultiTargets/MultiTargetsRenderer.java [github.com]
https://github.com/pivotal-ergin-babani/HackerMultiTarget/blob/master/build/include/QCAR/TrackableResult.h [github.com]
https://github.com/abhishekkeshri/vuforia-project/blob/master/jni/CloudReco.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Editor/PostProcessBuildPlayer [github.com]
https://github.com/Duffycola/Vuforia-Wall/blob/master/ext/vuforia-samples/ARCommon/QCARutils.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/cctsao1008/sdcc/blob/master/sdcc_api.h [github.com]
https://github.com/airgames/vuforia-gamekit-integration/blob/master/ImageTargets/build/include/QCAR/Trackable.h [github.com]
https://github.com/dentarg/arcv/blob/master/code/ImageTargets/jni/Application.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/Cassio90/mmci2/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/CloudRecognition/Texture.java [github.com]
https://github.com/joseguru/Will.i.reach/blob/master/jni/VideoPlayback.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/abhishekkeshri/vuforia-project/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/CloudRecognition/model/Book.java [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/tree/master/Assets [github.com]
https://github.com/dentarg/arcv/blob/master/code/ImageTargets/jni/Texture.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/quangpham/app-unity-master/blob/master/Editor/PostProcessBuildPlayer [github.com]
https://github.com/CompuwareVentures/UnityAR/blob/master/Assets/Editor/PostProcessBuildPlayer [github.com]
https://github.com/Duffycola/Vuforia-Wall/blob/master/ext/vuforia-samples/ARCommon/QCARutils.mm [github.com]
https://github.com/cctsao1008/sdcc/blob/master/sdcc_api.h [github.com]
https://github.com/airgames/vuforia-gamekit-integration/blob/master/ImageTargets/build/include/QCAR/Trackable.h [github.com]
https://github.com/dentarg/arcv/blob/master/code/ImageTargets/jni/Application.mk [github.com]
https://github.com/Cassio90/mmci2/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/CloudRecognition/Texture.java [github.com]
https://github.com/joseguru/Will.i.reach/blob/master/jni/VideoPlayback.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/abhishekkeshri/vuforia-project/blob/master/src/com/qualcomm/QCARSamples/CloudRecognition/model/Book.java [github.com]
https://github.com/AdvInteractions/Sol_3D/tree/master/Assets [github.com]
https://github.com/dentarg/arcv/blob/master/code/ImageTargets/jni/Texture.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/quangpham/app-unity-master/blob/master/Editor/PostProcessBuildPlayer [github.com]
https://github.com/benrafshoon/betterthansnapchat/tree/master/vuforia-sdk-ios-2-8-7 [github.com]
https://github.com/prabhuNatarajan/Vuforia-qualcomm-text-recognition/tree/master/vuforia-sdk-ios-2-8-7%20copy [github.com]
https://github.com/JALsnipe/AR_Demo/blob/master/Assets/Qualcomm%20Augmented%20Reality/Scripts/QCARBehaviour.cs [github.com]
https://github.com/CODAME/Relate/blob/master/beacon/FYX.framework/Versions/1.9.1/Headers/FYXVisitManager.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sudoroom/SudoSquare-iPhone-App/blob/master/ContextCore.embeddedframework/ContextCore.framework/Versions/1.6/Headers/QLPushNotificationsConnector.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sudoroom/SudoSquare-iPhone-App/blob/master/ContextCore.embeddedframework/ContextCore.framework/Versions/1.6/Headers/QLContentConnector.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sudoroom/SudoSquare-iPhone-App/blob/master/ContextLocation.embeddedframework/ContextLocation.framework/Versions/1.6/Headers/QLGeoFenceCircle.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sudoroom/SudoSquare-iPhone-App/blob/master/ContextCore.embeddedframework/ContextCore.framework/Versions/1.6/Headers/QLQuery.h [github.com]
https://github.com/sudoroom/SudoSquare-iPhone-App/blob/master/ContextCore.embeddedframework/ContextCore.framework/Versions/1.6/Headers/QLContextCoreConnector.h [github.com]
https://github.com/oesterle/BabyBTLE/blob/master/ProximitySampleApp/AppDelegate.m [github.com]
https://github.com/jonasacres/forcenet/blob/master/gimbaltest/GimbalTest/ContextCore.embeddedframework/ContextCore.framework/Versions/1.9.1/Headers/QLQueryForAnyAttributes.h [github.com]
https://github.com/CODAME/Relate/blob/master/beacon/FYX.framework/Versions/1.9.1/Headers/FYXVisit.h [github.com]
https://github.com/CODAME/Relate/blob/master/beacon/FYX.framework/Versions/1.9.1/Headers/FYX.h [github.com]
https://github.com/shicholas/beaconassist/blob/master/ios-gimbal/Applications/findmystuff/ProximitySampleApp/SightingsTableViewController.m [github.com]
https://github.com/shicholas/beaconassist/tree/master/ios-gimbal [github.com]
https://gist.github.com/nuttt/6545931 [github.com]
https://github.com/pcarenza/android_vendor_motorola_vanquish/blob/master/proprietary/etc/xtwifi.conf [github.com]
https://github.com/qca/qcamain_open_hal_public/blob/master/hal/ar9300/ar9300phy.h [github.com]
https://github.com/drewx2/android_device_oppo_find5/blob/master/configs/xtwifi.conf [github.com]
https://github.com/JerryScript/Victorious/blob/master/system/etc/capability.xml [github.com]
https://github.com/sbose78/FastCVSamples/blob/master/jni/apis/imageTransformation/Affine.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/sbose78/FastCVSamples/blob/master/jni/apis/featureDetection/Corner.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/JerryScript/Victorious/blob/master/system/etc/capability.xml [github.com]
https://github.com/sbose78/FastCVSamples/blob/master/jni/apis/imageTransformation/Affine.cpp [github.com]
https://github.com/sbose78/FastCVSamples/blob/master/jni/apis/featureDetection/Corner.cpp [github.com]
Regards,
[private]
Cyveillance Security Operations Center (CSOC)
Cyveillance, Inc. (a QinetiQ Company)
http://www.cyveillance.com/ [cyveillance.com]
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @10:03AM
So basically all these morons committed Confidential and Proprietary code to their repositories, complete with the All Rights Reserved notice. Did the idiots not comprehend that they were obviously violating copyright?
(Score: 3, Informative) by jbruchon on Sunday July 06 2014, @01:45PM
When Qualcomm contributes such code to open source projects, that copyright notice has an amendment under it where Qualcomm releases it under GPL or whatever license applies to the project. It's not just that one string of text.
I'm just here to listen to the latest song about butts.
(Score: 4, Informative) by SpockLogic on Sunday July 06 2014, @03:07AM
The DMCA is broken.
Sadly it won't get fixed soon.
Overreacting is one thing, sticking your head up your ass hoping the problem goes away is another - edIII
(Score: 2) by Rune of Doom on Sunday July 06 2014, @04:04AM
Even more sadly, the DMCA and laws like it are doing real, lasting damage to the American justice and legal system, which, for all its flaws, has functioned for a pretty long time. It's depressing to see the US heading towards and even more cyberpunk future where disputes are resolved by mercenaries, net attacks, and target assassinations, because the law is so broken that it no longer works.
(Score: 5, Informative) by VLM on Sunday July 06 2014, @12:30PM
"The DMCA is broken."
I disagree. I see a law purchased by the big guys, being applied by the big guys to stomp all over the little guys.
Its working exactly as designed. In D+D terms its "lawful evil" alignment. The problem isn't at the application level or the design level or the theoretical implementation. Its not broken at all. If it were broken, perhaps by being toothless or too restrictively defined, the world would be much better off.
The problem is its core purpose is inherently evil, unethical, immoral.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @05:19AM
Maybe Linus needs to drop these "drivers" from the kernel due to 'copyright problems.'
Make them live in user space. Google will "fix" this problem when it starts affecting Android wifi chips.
Don't fuck with my friend Github! You wont like me when I'm angry.
Lyenis
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @06:12AM
It looks like this QC Augmented Reality code was sample code not intended for public distribution, as the takedown letter alludes to.
What is the problem?
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @10:06AM
GitHub users are fucking stupid. That is the problem.
(Score: 5, Informative) by elf on Sunday July 06 2014, @06:21AM
I think its a bit over an over reaction on both sides, the editor here seems to be calling for a ban on all Qualcomm devices and it looks like the take down noticies were sent by a bot with out much thought to verify things.
This storey being three days old i also missing some followup. See below link. Looks like the links are being recinded and qualcomm are going to look at all the links individually and speak to all the project managers directly which seems sensible
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/07/05/qualcomm-backtracks-after-issuing-dmca-takedown-notices-for-116-github-repos-including-some-belonging-to-cyanogen-sony-and-qualcomm/ [androidpolice.com]
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Sunday July 06 2014, @07:04AM
I did complete a 'due diligence' search for an update but my Google-fu is weak today. I only found references to the original takedown and no updated material. Thank you for the link. Perhaps they have realised that the move was, ultimately, bad for business.
(Score: 2) by elf on Sunday July 06 2014, @09:35AM
No worries :) I wasn't too worried you had't found the link as it was a fairly new article. Not even sure it was up when you posted it.
Keep up the good work...you are doing a great job!
(Score: 3, Interesting) by TheRaven on Sunday July 06 2014, @06:36PM
sudo mod me up
(Score: 3, Insightful) by HiThere on Sunday July 06 2014, @08:22PM
Until AFTER Qualcomm has rescinded the takedown notices, fired the abusive company, and publicly apologized I'm not going to consider that they are not at fault.
I really think that is insufficient, but I can't think of any further action that is appropriate to the circumstances.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 2) by quacking duck on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:31PM
From the link... "These included at least one file for the popular community ROM CyanogenMod, several from Sony's developer account, and various open-source files from mobile developers all over the world. Hilariously, several files posted by Qualcomm itself were also included"
So my takeaway is that this retraction is happening only only because Qualcomm themselves were hit by Cyveillance's incompetence. Sony might've raised a fuss too. I don't know how much corporate clout CyanogenMod has (community blowback would've been considerable, at least), but the other smaller players certainly didn't have much.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by HiThere on Sunday July 06 2014, @08:29PM
I don't see it as an overreaction on the part of the FOSS community. They didn't institute legal actions against Qualcomm for, if nothing else, defamation of character.
Qualcomm hired agents that took advantage of an inherently unfair, unjust, and abusive law. Perhaps some of the projects actually did violate some of the terms. Perhaps. I have my doubts, as at no point was any proof provided. So they wantonly and recklessly defamed various projects, most of which I expect were totally blameless, and most of the rest only marginally at fault. (I.e., I expect that most of the project that were "marginally at fault" included a file provided by someone that a lawyer would say were in violation of Qualcomm's rights. And weren't licensed, e.g., under the GPL.)
The thing is, if there isn't a strong reaction Qualcomm won't even notice. And suing people is considered both expensive and impolite. That leaves public shaming, unless you are going to recommend violence.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 2) by redneckmother on Monday July 07 2014, @03:01AM
I recommend violence.
Mas cerveza por favor.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 06 2014, @09:18AM
...Now how did that go?...
"The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. "
-- http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Gilmore [wikiquote.org]
http://www.chemie.fu-berlin.de/outerspace/internet-article.html [fu-berlin.de]
(Score: 4, Funny) by Dunbal on Sunday July 06 2014, @12:15PM
So how is this centralized, shared repository concept working out for you? You had backups, right?
(Score: 3, Informative) by maxwell demon on Sunday July 06 2014, @02:52PM
Sure. Due to the workings of git, every single person who checked out the repository (and especially every single developer) has a complete copy of the full repository.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by cykros on Sunday July 06 2014, @01:31PM
So, while lawyers, politicians, and businessmen continue to break the technology they both profit from and at the same time simply don't understand, it seems to me it might be about time to start doing some code repository hosting over in .onion and .i2p space. Or perhaps a bittorrent based system (perhaps with an obfuscated tracker of sorts).
If they're going to use the law to abuse basic rights, then it seems only fair that we use technology to defend them. During duck hunting season, it's sometimes best NOT to have all your ducks in a row.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by redneckmother on Sunday July 06 2014, @04:01PM
Sounds like we need a "blacklist" Snort rule to prevent Cyveillance from accessing sites.
Mas cerveza por favor.