2.1 ESE53 will be Official Release on the VZW Motorola Droid

[TimChgo9]

I have a question, regarding legalities here.. Specifically about the 2.1 code.

A couple of miles of forum posts earlier someone posted that the code for 2.1 was alleged to have been stolen by an employee, and then either sold, or posted to the internet, or posted to someone....I don't remember..... That's not important.

I was sitting here thinking (which is a rare event, you really must be around to see it in action) and I began to wonder. Even though Android is Open Source, isn't any code created by Motorola, or, even Google, doesn't it become their intellectual property. Now, there are threads about 2.1 ROMs created with the ESE53 build. Is it possible (without fanning the flames of hysteria, or some assuming that I am pointing fingers) that anyone who created ROMs with the allegedly stolen code could be in legal trouble.. I am not clear on how "open source" code is protected, if it's protected at all under US Copyright laws. one more question: Has the code been "officially" released, or is the allgedly stolen code that is out there?

I posted this because we need something else to talk about instead of thrashing VZW, Moto, or anyone else.....

 

[STVA]

The Android OS is open source. However, ROMs container proprietary parts, like the drivers for particular phones. Distributing ROMs is technically illegal, since you don't have permission to distribute this proprietary code.

 

[TimChgo9]

The Android OS is open source. However, ROMs container proprietary parts, like the drivers for particular phones. Distributing ROMs is technically illegal, since you don't have permission to distribute this proprietary code.

So then, technically, those people could be in trouble... On the other hand, what if the developer thought/assumed that the place he got the ESE53 code from had the permission to distribute it? I suppose its kind of an "ignorance of the law is no excuse" kind of thing...

 

[R1Lover]

Don't even go there or this thread will get closed faster then I can hit the reply button... lol

Unless one of you are the developer of said ROM which is being passed around and you can prove it.... leave it at that.

 

[MrKleen]

Hey, maybe you guys can help me out, I'm having a little bit of trouble. In the online manual for the Droid on page 27 it says you can hit the microphone button instead of typing and talk into the phone, then the phone turns your voice into text. Has anyone had success with this? I can't even find the microphone button.

Can anyone help me?

 

[TimChgo9]

Don't even go there or this thread will get closed faster then I can hit the reply button... lol

Unless one of you are the developer of said ROM which is being passed around and you can prove it.... leave it at that.

Oh, no, I am not going "there"... I know better than that. It was just a general question, and I certainly was not going to go pointing fingers at anyone. I have no idea how anyone of the devs does what they do, and since what I know about programming wouldn't fill a thimble, I have no standing to say anything deragatory. I was curious about how "Open Source" code is protected, or if it's protected. I know, more or less, how copyright law works for written material, and photographs. Wasn't so sure about computer code. And I believe, that my question was answered...

I was just asking in general, that is all. It was not my intention to stir the pot. A troll I am not.

 

[adrynalyne]

I don't forsee any legal action being taken.

While a company will publicly frown on leaks and roms being built using their proprietary software, they don't usually take action. My guess is because it actually brings them money. As a modding community grows, and expands, the demand for the devices being modded increases, and therefore it becomes like a niche market of its own.

It happens ALL THE TIME with Windows Mobile, and that is 100% closed source. Yet, companies turn a blind eye, esp. HTC.

 

[adrynalyne]

Because I cannot edit my previous post, Google does get butt hurt over stuff like that, however.

 

[SSHGuru]

Question

Is flash going to be included in 2.1?

 

[thechom80]

Is flash going to be included in 2.1?

Will I be able to give myself a haircut with 2.1? Because that would be amazing.:icon_ banana:

For those that still believe the update is coming, 200,000 or so of you might get yourself a notification in 11 minutes or so....

 

[Isaiah]

Okay people what're the odds we're going to see an update in 9 minutes? Eh ehhhh? taking allll bets

 

[theonuts]

Okay people what're the odds we're going to see an update in 9 minutes? Eh ehhhh? taking allll bets

haha what are the odds people will post that they got the update, then 5 minutes later say they were just joking?

 

[Isaiah]

Okay people what're the odds we're going to see an update in 9 minutes? Eh ehhhh? taking allll bets

haha what are the odds people will post that they got the update, then 5 minutes later say they were just joking?

Probably pretty high. Maybe the mods could hit those people with like a 5 day ban or something though, that'd be sweet (*HINT* *HINT*) :-D

 

[cupfulloflol]

Okay people what're the odds we're going to see an update in 9 minutes? Eh ehhhh? taking allll bets

About the same odds as Kansas has to win the NCAA mens basketball tournament.

 

[nerdkill]

i wonder how big of an impact people that have their ota updates blocked are going to have.