gpl license definition of distributing

From: Martin Hansen (mah_at_cccfsi.dk)
Date: 07/21/04 

Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:05:27 +0200

I have a question on the distubuting part og GPL.
GPL claims some demand when you distribute the SW, but when is it
distribution i ask?
The example in the FAQ on FSF's site states that if I have an webserver that
is run by GPL software the users of my website and therefore the users of
this GPL software, does not have a claim for the source as the program it
not distributet.

But what about embedded SW?
example:
I put some GPL software in a piece of hardware (like a washing machine).
This hardware is protected so the user won't have access to the software
only the functionality.
I sell this hardware.
Now have i distributet the software? as the user does not have access to the
software!

You could claim that as I am selling the hardware I sell and thereby
distribute the SW. But what if I only rentet out the HW. Would that not be
like people using my website for a fee?

And if realy this is a distributiuon and i have to provide source. I could
put the source into my hardware, becuase I have now delivered the source on
the same medium as the executebels. But my customor have no access to
either. 

-- 
Martin Hansen

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