Fuck you, Sigma Designs [Geek Righteousness Alert]

The BBQ Pit
1

So, it appears that Sigma Designs has released a video compression program that consists substantially of code stolen from The XviD Project. Links:

Article on Slashdot.org
Discussion forum thread with a number of XviD developers participating

XviD is a free MPEG4-based video codec, distributed under the terms of the Gnu Public License. This means that anyone can modify the program and release it, but if they do, they must not remove the GPL notices and license text, and must include the source code. Sigma Designs released a product that includes portions of the XviD Project’s MPEG4 Encoder, and claimed it was developed by them, keeping the source code secret. When this story broke, they quickly released the source code, but still claimed it was their original software, and are only distributing it under a license that violates the GPL.

These bastards are ripping off a community effort for their own financial gain, stealing the hard work of the people that created the XviD software. I don’t have any personal stake in this, but I’ve been using XviD, and have been following its development closely. It is a very cool project (or was, as development has stopped until this issue is resolved), one I hoped would succeed. In closing, Fuck You Sigma Designs. I hope the XviD Project gets some financial backing and sues you out of business.

2

It would seem that Sigma has already decided to release the source code. (Like everyone knew they would).

Despite this happening time and again, I don’t think we’ll see the GPL challenged in court any time soon. Too bad really, because I (like many others) want to see how it fares. Pretty much to the point of pitching in a few dollars for the lawer tax.

3

Nanoda: Yes, they have. Unfortunately, they are still claiming ownership of the software, and have not released it under the GPL (It’s a more restrictive, proprietary license). Since the GPL prohibits the release of GPLed code under a license that is more restrictive than the GPL itself, the violation is still ongoing. I’m hoping they’ll come to their senses, apologize to the XviD project, and release EVERYTHING involved under the GPL, but I’m afraid it may take legal action to get this settled.