HTC Dragging Feet On GPL Source Release For "Hero" Phone

Squiff writes to mention that despite being based on the Open Handset Alliance's Android platform and using several open source components, HTC are effectively refusing to release the source for the GPL parts of their "Hero" Phone code, saying that they are "waiting for their developers to provide it." It has been called an "object of lust," it's beating the iPhone for awards, and it seems to be the first Android phone that really is "the phone to have," to hear some people tell it. It has also just become available in the US after a June release in Europe.

Nice excuse

[dissy]

Phone code, citing that they are "waiting for their developers to provide it."

Too bad that doesn't work.

"Yes your honor, I downloaded all of that music, but I emailed the artists asking how I could send them money, and are just waiting on them to license it to me properly!"

Not exactly fitting I know, but still.

Every other closed source shop has to hold off on release of their product until all licensing issues are taken care of (at least if they don't want to be taken to court.) This license is no different.

Re:Kill them!

[ZERO1ZERO]

LOL. Your username is apt. Sony also do mobiles, as Sony Ericsson, who coincidentally have a contract whereby HTV make some of their phones, including the high end, but dissappointing Sony X1.

Waiting for the Acer A1 phone

[sbrown123]

The Hero is nice and all but, like other Android phones, it doesn't have the processing power. The Acer A1 looks like it will be coming with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1GHz processor and Android 1.6. Now if it would just be carried by someone other than T-Mobile in the states I would be happy.

Re:Bitch-slap the marketing department please

[insertwackynamehere]

Hey now what about Snow Crash?

It'll continue...

[Kjella]

...until one of the copyright holders (you know, the ones with standing to sue) send a C&D and threaten to file for an injunction stopping all HTC Hero sales. The source code will be ready for download about 0.2 seconds later.

Re:So what? The GPL is a copyright license

[zn0k]

Slashdot, despite persistent rumors to the contrary, has more than one person commenting on articles. While not scientifically established as fact, it seems likely that those separate entities could have diverging opinion on copyright.

Re:Object of Lust?

[painandgreed]

Well, just because they're an 'object of lust' doesn't mean they'll be a good lay, or that you'll ever want to see them again after the first night.

Re:Kill them!

[WaywardGeek]

I'm feeling a bit poor, but if I weren't I'd consider dumping my G1 and forking over $550 for an unlocked Hero. The major draw: a freaking headphone jack.

Re:Nice excuse

[noidentity]

"Yes, your honor, we had the source code to give to the compiler to produce the binaries, but we couldn't give the source code to the user because we weren't done with it yet."