[Samba] Multiple GPL violations including Samba in Auralic products

[Robert Ladru]

Hello,

I recently bought an Auralic Aries Mini streamer. This little streamer
can also function as a NAS when mounting a laptop drive or ssd inside,
via samba.
The box did not come with a media containing source code and did not
include a GPL written offer.

So I asked Auralic to provide the source code for all GPlv2 and v3
packages used.

For the Linux kernel and their modifications, they asked to sign an
NDA, which is clearly forbidden by the GPL.
For Samba 3.6.23 which they use, they have no intentions to release
the source, as they also have already stated on computeraudiophile.com
that they only share the kernel, nothing else:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f22-networking-networked-audio-and-streaming/alternatives-aries-23864/index4.html#post411669

"For the repository: We only publish what we believe is 'fully
complete'. That's why the kernel source code was not published a long
time ago because we do not consider it as 'complete'. Most of the open
source code project in the community are full of bugs, I am pretty
regret about this."


Here's proof they use 3.6.23:

        Server               Comment
        ---------            -------
        ARIES-1L9YS2O8       Samba 3.6.23

It's obvious they are using various loopholes to avoid sharing the GPL
source code used in their products, and they only share the kernel,
nothing else.
They probably also violate busybox, as their embedded linux platform
runs a dropbear (SSH-2.0-dropbear_2012.55), but the root password is
not known, so the only way to know what other packages they violate is
to hack the device.

How can we obtain the source code of GPlv2 and v3 packages such as
Samba when the vendor is refusing?

Robert

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Xuanqian Wang (AURALIC LIMITED) <support at auralic.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 19, 2017 at 7:56 AM
Subject: [AURALIC LIMITED] Re: Auralic MINI GPL source
To: Robert Ladru <robertladru at gmail.com>


##- Please type your reply above this line -##

Your request (8980) has been updated. To add additional comments,
reply to this email.

Xuanqian Wang (AURALIC LIMITED)

Jan 19, 14:56 CST

Hello Robert:

Yes, the Linux operation system we are using is under GPLv2 license
framework including the kernel and file system with all library. We
will be happy to provide you the source code of the that part. To
received the source code, we will need to collect the following
information from you:

1,  Receipt of your purchase order to prove that you own the machine.
2, Your photo ID issued by government for us to prepare NDA agreement.
3, A secondary identification document that we can verify your name
and address, such as bank statement, utility bill.

Xuanqian Wang | CEO & Designer | support at auralic.com