HTC response 2

from	HTC <[email protected]>
to	[email protected]
date	Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 8:34 PM
subject	Regarding your message (11USCW13ENA002296)
mailed-by	htc.com
hide details 8:34 PM (29 minutes ago)
Dear Bobbie Kennett,

Thank you for your email regarding the source code for the HTC Thunderbolt. We understand your concerns and apologize for the frustration you have experienced.

As it stands, the majority of Android source code is not released under the GPL but is instead under the Apache Open Source License. You can find information on the licensing by visiting http://source.android.com/source/licenses.html and http://developer.android.com/resources/faq/licensingandoss.html, specifically the latter where question 3 asks, "Why are you releasing the code under the Apache License instead of GPLv2?" This leads to an article written on ArsTechnica by Ryan Paul titled, "Why Google chose the Apache Software License over GPLv2 for Android." When available, the source code for the device can be found at http://developer.htc.com. This is typically done within 90 to 120 days from release of the device, though we do try to have it available sooner. This is within the terms of the Apache Source License, which covers the majority of the software under the Android operating system, and the GPL.

We have thoroughly reviewed this prior to releasing our first Android based device (T-Mobile G1/ HTC Dream) on October 22, 2008. I do apologize for any inconvenience that you may have experienced.

To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number 11USCW13ENA002296.

Sincerely,

Jeffery

HTC

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