Distributing FreeRTOS source code

Kernel
1

svenschwermer wrote on Thursday, April 21, 2016:

Hi there,

we are intending to use FreeRTOS in our proprietary software which will run on a Xilinx Zynq. We are making use of the Xilinx SDK which comes with FreeRTOS (Version 8.2.3). The FreeRTOS code is neither modified by us nor is it modified by Xilinx.

Right now we are trying to figure out how to comply with FreeRTOS’es license. Since the scheduler is covered by the GPL we think that we are required to distribute the scheduler source code with our binary. Can this be avoided somehow? Would a note, which would be supplied with the product, stating the used version and a link to the FreeRTOS website be sufficient? We would like to be on the safe side.

Thanks! Sven

2

rtel wrote on Thursday, April 21, 2016:

Yes, sufficient. These days there is little point in offering to ship
floppy disks to people when everything can be downloaded for free anyway
:o) People can download any version they want
https://sourceforge.net/projects/freertos/files/FreeRTOS/

3

hwmaier wrote on Tuesday, May 10, 2016:

To claify the FreeRTOS source publishing requirement, the information published on http://www.freertos.org/a00114.html suggests that:

  • Only if I distribute source code, I have to document that my product uses FreeRTOS
    and
  • Only if I distribute source code, I have to provide the FreeRTOS code to users of my application

So in the case of an embedded firmware in flash ROM shipped in a product, I would interpret this as no FreeRTOS source code needs to be published nor the name of FreeRTOS mentioned in conjunction with the product.

Is this understood correctly?

4

rtel wrote on Tuesday, May 10, 2016:

Yes you have that right. These days the concept of distributing source
code with a product is a little obsolete anyway as anybody can download
any version of FreeRTOS they like provided they have an internet
connection: https://sourceforge.net/projects/freertos/files/FreeRTOS/