Ask HN: targeting stores that sell GPL-violating devices?
It occurred to me that instead of dealing with each individual manufacturer, it may be more effective to seek an injunction against stores selling the services - essentially naming a list of violating devices and asking that the court prohibit them from selling them.
By making it the stores problem, that ought to create far more pressure on manufacturers than direct complaints.
I have several questions I hoped the HN folks might be able to shed some light on:
* Does the seller of a device have obligations under the GPL, if that device is manufactured by a third party? I think so, and in the past sellers (e.g. Telstra) have stepped up to pressure manufacturers into compliance.
* Has this approach been tried before, and with what results?
* Is there someone in Australia with a history of GPL litigation who might be able to provide some extra info?
I imagine that the main problem would be paying for the lawyer(s). Crowdsourcing could help here, I imagine.