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petition to help developer of the Cyanogen

C

clockwork

Member
although the Cyanogen ROM is not for the HERO i believe we need to help the developer of the Cyanogen ROM fight off what is a very stupid move by google...

here is the link to the engadget article

and text of the article

"So this is interesting: apparently Google's hit the developer of the Cyanogen modded Android ROM with a cease-and-desist letter, asking him to stop distributing the closed-source Google apps like Gmail, Maps, and YouTube. What's a little strange is that Cyanogen is targeted at "Google Experience" devices like the G1 and myTouch, so it's not like Google is really protecting anything here -- leading us to wonder if they're just using the copyright argument to shut down a popular mod that's tempted over 30,000 users into rooting their phones. That's just speculation on our part, though -- the dev says he's trying to open a dialogue with Google, so perhaps we'll find out some more answers soon."

but more importantly the petition to sign to show our support

Keep CyanogenMod Alive - Petition Spot
 
It's not about that, it's about principle, and licenses.

Mind you, I'm saying this from a purely objective perspective, I have no interest in the matter either way.

Cyano may be doing a lot of good, and yet that does not entitle him to redistribute Google's closed-source applications.

Google have made some apps specifically for the "Google Experience", device manufacturers (ie. HTC) have a license agreement to deliver "Google Experience devices" with these apps. Now, Cyano has entered the stage with a mission to deliver software from Google, with a different spin, to owners of HTC devices. So the users are still ending up with Google software on their HTC devices. But, Cyano is not a party of that license, and so is not allowed to redistribute that software -- that's why they have to come after him (for all we know, they might actually like what he's doing, but can't accept the way he's doing it).

The sad bit is, I don't see what is essentially a lone developer obtaining a distribution license from Google, the disparity is simply too great. The best to hope for is that he can go on distributing his mod sans the closed-source apps. :cool:
 
i understand entirely, and from a legal standpoint there is very little to support cyanogen and his distribution of google experience ecosystems, but it is my belief that his work and that of others such as the developers of the MoDaCo ROM are essential in increasing android market share, in addition to consumer satisfaction, which i am sure you can agree is what google ultimately wants.
I am unaware of what cyanogen has contributed to the G1 and Magic ROMs, but I am sure that his popularity is not unfounded, and without merit.
A good example of improvements due to modding is how the original ROM for the Hero was unfit for use, whereas the MoDaCo ROM was able to rectify the speed issues. I am not entirely sure if the HTC hero ROM carries a google experience due to the addition of Microsoft Exchange support, but none the less, had this mod not been available, i am sure copious numbers of handsets would have been returned by very vexed consumers, tarnishing further wat has been a difficult HTC hero launch.
i am very grateful to any person or group of people that put aside a plethora of hours to help my or other peoples experience, and google should be grateful as well... and turn a blind eye to it.
 
He should be able to avoid the whole legal issue if he switches from distributing the entire ROM to distributing a patcher that alters an existing ROM. Pass the word on.
 
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