On 06/15/2015 07:08 PM, Jeff Haran wrote:
Jeff Haran <Jeff.Haran@citrix.com> writes:
What is the downside to a large company for violating GPL?
Losing all rights to the software in question forever is probably the largest downside. If we talk about the Linux kernel (as I assume we do in this forum) then I have a hard time believing any company can survive that.
Has this ever actually happened?
Specifically has a company that violated Linux's GPL ever been sued over the violation, lost the case and as a result lost the ability to use the Linux kernel forever?
No, but they have come close, in several lawsuits, mostly in Germany. All of the companies in question decided that coming into compliance with the GPL was a better option than losing the rights to use, copy, distribute, and modify Linux. -- All rights reversed.