Hi, SevenBits Tech wrote: > it is my understanding that, yes, you are required to provide the > source code used to build the compiled binary.
Agreed. But normally it suffices to point to the place from where one got the published sources of the free software which one forwards. E.g. with xorriso releases, you can point to https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/xorriso/ and propose to use the tarball with the matching version number. The point of OSDev.org wiki is that GRUB is/was around in many versions which are not based on a GRUB release with tarball at a reliable public URL. In the case that GRUB stems from a binary distro package, i'd say it suffices to tell the exact name of the package and the URL where the GRUB packages of that distro can be found. Nevertheless, this raises the question what to do if the distro vanishes or makes outdated versions of their packages unavailable. (Interesting extra question: If you cease offering the binary, how long are you obliged to still offer the old source ? Endlessly ?) In the case of a git based version, one can point to https://savannah.gnu.org/git/?group=grub and give instructions how to obtain the corresponding source from a particular commit revision. Since GRUB on ISO is likely to change hands, we have the situation that each of the GRUB users of this case has to be aware of the obligations by GPL, which do not apply to the use case of making the own computer bootable. I think OSDev.org ideas are too rigid. Best would be if GRUB would help its ISO producing users to fulfill GPL in a mostly automatic way. At least with released GRUB versions, if it is not possible with versions pulled from git. A clarification on GRUB's grub-mkrescue documentation page seems necessary. > Where are you distributing your ISO? It is not about my use cases but about my standard advice as author of xorriso to use grub-mkrescue when one starts with developing bootable ISOs. In general, the GPL makes no difference between giving a copy to a friend or making a business out of it. Have a nice day :) Thomas _______________________________________________ Grub-devel mailing list Grub-devel@gnu.org https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/grub-devel
