Most mobile phone Apps violate Open Source rules-PCWorld

Seven of the 10 Android and iOS apps that open source "fails to meet basic open source license requirements," according to a new analysis.

Open Logic, allowing open source software support, scan and governance tools, said that the analyzed 635 mobile applications for Android, iPhone and iPad, including 66 open source software under the Apache, GPL or LGPL license. The vendor found that 71% of the 66 apps violated important commitments by the open source licenses required.

Although the revision only 66 open source apps, there are many more such programs running on Android, iPhone and iPad, or at least in the works. Black Duck Software recently examined 3800 free and open source mobile projects started in 2010, and found that 55% on Android and 39% to Apple's iOS.

Small print: introduction to the Open source software licensing

Meet open source requirements seems to be a sore spot for mobile developers, as the Open Logic survey is any indication.

"Many mobile and tablet developers may not have a complete picture of the open source they use and the requirements of the open source licenses," Kim Weins, Senior Vice President of products and marketing at Open Logic, said in the announcement of the survey. "This has real-world consequences. For example, has the Free Software Foundation stated that the GPL and iTunes licenses are not compatible, and Apple has already several apps from the store who were determined to be under the GPL. Google has also takedown requests received for Android market apps that violated the GPL. App developers should pay attention to the open source license compliance to ensure that their apps are not affected by legal actions. "

The Android operating system itself is open source, using the Apache licence, as well as the GPL for Linux components. But Google has been sued by Oracle, which claims Java Android infringes on patents and copyrights. Apple's iOS is proprietary.

Open the scan Logic of Android and iOS apps found that most of the open source ones violate GPL requirements such as the provision of source code or an offer to the source code or the requirement for a copy of the license; most mobile apps using the Apache licence violated requirements to get a copy of the licenses or the notices and their powers.

Scrap were on Android and iOS similar. The Android apps compliance rate was 27% and iOS was on 32%.

Open Logic also said that two Android applications contained LGPL version 2.1, a license that "might have potential conflicts with Apache 2.0, the big license of the Android operating system."

Further, Open Logic said it was "found several apps with extensive end-user license agreements that all software included claimed was under their copyright and ownership of them-when in fact a part of the code in the app open source."

Open Logic has not identified a specific apps, but said her selection focused "top paid and free apps for Android, iPhone and the iPad on a variety of categories," including "apps out of the top 20 companies in the Fortune 500." Categories included "banking applications, sport and game applications, applications of the world's most recognized brands and media organizations and popular applications of smaller companies."

Jon Brodkin follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jbrodkin

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