Judge Rules on Vizio's GPL License Interpretation Motion Regarding Smart TV Software Reinstallation

Vizio asked the court to rule on something that no one believes the GPLv2 requires.

Judge Leal granted a motion brought by Vizio that sought a ruling on a position that SFC has not actually taken.

VIZIO moves on the grounds that the plain language ... compels the conclusion that neither license imposes a duty on licensees to provide all information necessary to permit reinstallation of modified software back on the same device such that the device continues to function properly.

Defendant VIZIO, Inc. [moves] this Court for summary adjudication [re] whether ... GPLv2 ... and ... LGPLv2.1 ... require the licensee [under the GPL Agreements] to provide information necessary to install modified versions of the licensed software back onto the Smart TVs with which the software was originally distributed while ensuring the TVs continue to function properly.