On 4 Mar 2016 4:27 pm, "Russell Coker" <russell@coker.com.au> wrote:
>
> On Fri, 4 Mar 2016 03:52:30 PM Colin Fee via luv-talk wrote:
> > Or is it a case of BMW compiling binaries using private modifications that
> > are instlled into the cars for use but not actually distributing the
> > software, if the usage within their cars is not counted as distribution.
>
> Usage in cars they own is not distribution.  It becomes distribution when they
> sell any of those cars.

Interesting point.  Is there an expectation amongst your typical car buyer that you could have access to the underlying software?

In a similar vein we bought new Siemens ovens over Christmas and amongst the literature was a GPL licence issued by Texas Instruments for the touch menu software.  Not sure I'd want access with a view to changing and reinstalling it.

Same goes for the car software.  I guess the point of the article is more about the spirit of the GPL.  If you're not willing to distribute the source, don't use that licence.