So here's what I don't get. What's the point of this? Like, what is the downside to Google releasing the source to a version as they ship it?

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pjmlp a day ago | parent | next [-]

The only thing left as GPL is the Linux kernel.

And since Project Treble you wouldn't even get the drivers, because Android Linux is a pseudo-microkernel now, where drivers run in userspace and talk via Android IPC (Binder) with the kernel, enforced since Android 8.

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justinclift a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Aren't they legally obligated to release the source code of whatever GPL software they ship? ie the version shipped that is

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resonious a day ago | parent | next [-]

By GPL, they're only obligated to release an offer that allows costumers to request the source code. They can still keep the source "closed" by default.

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globular-toast a day ago | parent [-]

No they have to actually fulfill that request too. Once someone has the source they are then free to distribute it.

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growse a day ago | parent [-]

I don't remember if this is in the original text, but is there a time constraints on distributing the source on request?

If a user asks for the source, and the distributor says "sure" and then delivers it 12 months later, have they violated the license?

	▲	globular-toast a day ago \| parent [-]
		It has to be the source of the distribution the user currently has a copy of. So they can't just say "sure" and then wait until the next public release. I'm not sure about timeliness, though.

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SXX a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

This is why most of Android outside of linux kernel is not GPL.

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pabs3 a day ago | parent | prev [-]

From other discussions, it sounds like they are shipping the copyleft source on time, only the permissive/pushover licensed stuff gets delayed source releases.

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IshKebab a day ago | parent | prev | next [-]

This is driven by the EU forcing them to allow alternative payment methods in the Play Store.

They are trying to avoid it, but I doubt the EU will let this stand:

https://www.developer-tech.com/news/google-alters-play-store...

Android is open source partly because they can fund it from Play Store profits. Google is thinking that their Play Store profits are going to be cut, and they want to make the profit up elsewhere - and importantly, maintain control of the platform. This is their method.

They've already used this playbook in the past with Google Play Services, and even before that when they abandoned all the built-in open source apps (Email, Calendar, etc.).

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jsusjjdjejej a day ago | parent | prev [-]

I think eventually we will get to ... Ah this is too hard to open source at all... Come at us with GPL requests..