Google sends cease and desist to programmer over CyanogenMod

28 September 2009 by Shane McGlaun

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Google is typically pretty open about its open source Android operating system for smartphones. A programmer behind the CyanogenMod ROM of Android has received a cease and desist letter from the search giant.

The reason for the demand to stop providing the ROM is that it has proprietary applications in it like YouTube and Maps. Google says that while the Android OS is meant to be distributed and modded, its apps like YouTube and Maps are not.

According to the mod developer, there are ways to offer Google software without violating rights. The ROM will for now be delivered without Google apps.

Join the Discussion (16 comments)

sunsguy

09-28-2009 11:40 PM

This post needs BFS. Reporting's a bit slow- like android without cyanogen.
pengages

09-29-2009 08:06 AM

android is over . google turns out to be just like the rest. "android is open source but everything in it isn't"

what a joke - a disgraceful development in the world of android.
sklucky9

09-29-2009 09:22 AM

Every single company is in business to make money and Google wasn't making any by having their apps available to everyone. Most companies that offer the Android OS with Google apps has to pay to have them. CyanogenMod worked around it hence the reason of the cease and desist notice. I have faith that the developer will work around it.
benthomasg1

09-29-2009 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sklucky9

Every single company is in business to make money and Google wasn't making any by having their apps available to everyone.

Google dose make money buy having there applications in the ROM, the main reason for them to make a phone OS was to have easy access to all of the google application on a mobile device and the more people that use there applications then the more data they have and the more hits they have witch in turn makes them more money.

Fare

09-29-2009 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pengages

android is over . google turns out to be just like the rest. "android is open source but everything in it isn't"

what a joke - a disgraceful development in the world of android.

THE SKY IS FALLING!

No worries everyone, it'll all be figured out sooner than later

sisconda

09-29-2009 03:23 PM

So I'm actually curious about what the implications of the cease and desist are. Does this mean all custom ROMs can no longer have any Google Apps like YouTube and Maps? Doesn't this pretty much kill any development for custom ROMs?
eminembdg

09-30-2009 09:26 PM

not really. From what I have read from cyanogen is that he's making a way for us to backup those Google apps, flash his new ROM, then reinstall the google apps. From a lawful aspect, that is legal, because we already HAD those apps and just backed them up. This is what they are trying to accomplish.

edit: only thing i don't totally understand is how that is legal. since we are backing up protected apps??? But i'm no expert in this matter

simms22

09-30-2009 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminembdg

not really. From what I have read from cyanogen is that he's making a way for us to backup those Google apps, flash his new ROM, then reinstall the google apps. From a lawful aspect, that is legal, because we already HAD those apps and just backed them up. This is what they are trying to accomplish.

edit: only thing i don't totally understand is how that is legal. since we are backing up protected apps??? But i'm no expert in this matter

you are allowed to backup your computer arent you ? its the same idea . you are just backing up what you already paid for . you are just not allowed to redistribute them .

Synergy

09-30-2009 09:51 PM

Why are people still bumbling about this? A solution has almost been reached. Its old news now and everyone is moving on. Cyanogen will try his best to make ROMs without violating the licenses, and if that doesn't work, Open Android Alliance will be our next best bet.

simms22

09-30-2009 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synergy

Why are people still bumbling about this? A solution has almost been reached. Its old news now and everyone is moving on. Cyanogen will try his best to make ROMs without violating the licenses, and if that doesn't work, Open Android Alliance will be our next best bet.

there are a lot of ppl that havent heard about this yet . seriously

djunio

09-30-2009 10:07 PM

I would like to know if its so illegal how is every other dev still doin it.
simms22

09-30-2009 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djunio

I would like to know if its so illegal how is every other dev still doin it.

sometimes , people do things that are illegal . sometimes , it hurts someone and its a serious crime . sometimes , it doesnt affect anyone and its civil disobedience . sometimes , its ignorance . but , i shouldnt be the one having to explain this to you

djunio

09-30-2009 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simms22

sometimes , people do things that are illegal . sometimes , it hurts someone and its a serious crime . sometimes , it doesnt affect anyone and its civil disobedience . sometimes , its ignorance . but , i shouldnt be the one having to explain this to you

i've just been a victim of sarcasm lol

, i'm just saying, something cant be illegal for one person and not eveyone else but i understand what google is doing by victimizing him.

simms22

09-30-2009 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djunio

i've just been a victim of sarcasm lol

, i'm just saying, something cant be illegal for one person and not eveyone else but i understand what google is doing by victimizing him.

LMAO !!!!!
you just completely caught me off guard by your awesome response

danguyf

10-01-2009 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synergy

Well, I'd say that the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) will be our next best bet, then the Replicant project from FSF, and then, if all else fails, maybe the OAA will actually produce something.

eminembdg

10-01-2009 09:48 PM

It's not that it's just illegal for one person and fine for another. Basically since cyanogen is one of the most popular and well known, he was made an example of what Google is prepared to do.
ThR1LL

10-02-2009 09:33 AM

If it wasn't for Cyanogen us G1 owners would probably not have received the Donut update. Google is just pissed that now with all these .png optimizing techniques to make room for more code, the G1 won't become as obsolete as fast as they want and the devs at XDA will continue to bring G1 users the newest Android updates available.