[Phpgroupware-developers] phpGroupWare - Possible License Breach

[Dave Hall]

Hi,

My name is Dave Hall and I am the Release Coordinator and a developer of
the gnu package phpGroupWare. We have become aware of a possible breach
of the GPL. 

A company based in India, called TechnoInfosys is distributing a product
called "Webbased Groupware", which appears to be phpGroupWare.  The
promo page on their website makes no mention of phpGroupWare.  See
http://www.technoinfosys.com/products/webbased_groupware.html

I have made contact with the company about the product using their
contact us form on their website (see
http://www.technoinfosys.com/contact_us/contact_us.html), posing as a
prospective client. They responded in around 2 hours to this enquiry.
Their response is attached.

After receiving a quote I became suspicious of their per server
licensing model. I emailed them informing them of their obligations
under the GPL and requesting a copy of the source. They have not
responded to my request.  This is also attached.

The company's details are as follows:
TechnoInfosys
A Div. of Technofinvestrade (I) Pvt. Ltd.
101/108, Arenja Arcade, Sector-17,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai. India - 400 705.
Tel : 91-22-55910977 / 0978
E-mail : address@hidden

This matter has generated a lot of discussion between phpGroupWare
developers on #phpgroupware.

We tried to discuss this matter on #gnu on irc.freenode.net, as
phpGroupWare is a gnu project, but received no response in two attempts.

What steps should we take now?

Looking forward to your response,

Dave Hall (aka skwashd)
Release Coordinator
phpGroupWare

--- Begin Message --- Subject: Re: Fw: Groupware details Date: Tue, 07 Jan 2003 10:39:26 +1100

Hi Sanjay,

My name is Dave Hall I am one of the phpGroupWare developers. I have
spent some time looking through the description of the groupware product
you offer. I noticed that it looks an awful lot like phpGroupWare.
phpGroupWare is licensed under the General Public License (GPL).

In accordnace with the relevant sections of the GPL i ask that you
provide me with a copy of the modified source code. I would also like
to seek clarification in regards to the License that you apply to the
product you distribute.

I would also like to extend an invitation to you (and others at
techinfosys) to participate in the development of phpGroupWare. I would
also ask that you consider making some donation to the project.

I look forward to your response.

Cheers

Dave Hall (aka skwashd)
Stable Release Coordinator
phpGroupware

----- Original Message -----
From: Julie Tisdale <address@hidden>
Date: Monday, January 6, 2003 4:56 pm
Subject: Fw: Groupware details

> forward - original mail:
>  From address@hidden
>  Date 06/01/2003 - 04:42:38 pm
>  Subject Groupware details
> 
> >Hi Julie Tisdale,
> >
> >Thankyou for your interest in TechnoInfosys products.
> >
> >I hope you might have seen the detailed of the product on our 
> website.>
> >We can give you a detailed and more clearer screen shots of the 
> product.>Alternatively once you are through with the visual demo, 
> we can talk for
> >the trial version.
> >
> >The product is priced at US dollar USD $1150
> >
> >Products is licenced per server, unlimited users.
> >
> >Looking forward for your response.
> >
> >Thanking you warm regards,
> >
> >Sanjay Gurav
> >COO
> >TechnoInfosys
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >-----------------------------------------
> >This email was sent using TechnoInfosys LA Mail Solution.
> >http://www.technoinfosys.com/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 

--- Begin Message --- Subject: Groupware details Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 06:36:12 +0000 (GMT)

Hi Julie Tisdale,

Thankyou for your interest in TechnoInfosys products.

I hope you might have seen the detailed of the product on our website.

We can give you a detailed and more clearer screen shots of the product.
Alternatively once you are through with the visual demo, we can talk for
the trial version.

The product is priced at US dollar USD $1150

Products is licenced per server, unlimited users.

Looking forward for your response.

Thanking you warm regards,

Sanjay Gurav
COO
TechnoInfosys




-----------------------------------------
This email was sent using TechnoInfosys LA Mail Solution.
http://www.technoinfosys.com/

--- End Message ---

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