[General Questions and Answers] Vee63b:
Lol sorry, it's easier to convey messages to ZTE China if the message isn't lost in translation, here's the full email translated. This email was a response to a prior email from ZTE stating it wasn't their responsibility, but the mobile operator's, to release the source code.

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Mobile Operators do not carry the Kernel Source Code or the required keys/software to unlock the device's bootloader, the manufacturer of the device does.

Simply put;

The Android Operating System (OS) is governed by the GNU-GPLv3 Agreement,* which states that any device/hardware that is using the Android platform must be opened for other developers as well, if the hardware is locked, an unlock method must also be provided by the manufacturer.

In short, the Kernel Source Code and the bootloader unlock method must be released to avoid violations.

I have checked your support website at

http://support.zte.com.cn/support/news/NewsMain.aspx?type=service

The KERNEL SOURCE FOR ZTE ZMAX Z970 is not there. Please release source.

Also,

https://www.change.org/p/zte-usa-an...urce-and-bootloader-unlock-for-zte-zmax-phone

This is the link to a current petition against ZTE from the development community to release the kernel source and to unlock the bootloader for the ZTE Zmax Phone.

To help ZTE realize the gravity of the situation, the following are excerpts from the GNU GPLv3:

Link to GPL agreement:

https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

GPL Preamble:

"To protect your rights, we need to prevent others from denying you these rights or asking you to surrender the rights. Therefore, you have certain responsibilities if you distribute copies of the software, or if you modify it: responsibilities to respect the freedom of others.

For example, if you distribute copies of such a program, whether gratis or for a fee, you must pass on to the recipients the same freedoms that you received. You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source code. And you must show them these terms so they know their rights."

"Some devices are designed to deny users access to install or run modified versions of the software inside them, although the manufacturer can do so. This is fundamentally incompatible with the aim of protecting users' freedom to change the software. The systematic pattern of such abuse occurs in the area of products for individuals to use, which is precisely where it is most unacceptable. Therefore, we have designed this version of the GPL to prohibit the practice for those products."

Section 6 of the Terms and Conditions:

"Installation Information for a User Product means any methods, procedures, authorization keys, or other information required to install and execute modified versions of a covered work in that User Product from a modified version of its Corresponding Source. The information must suffice to ensure that the continued functioning of the modified object code is in no case prevented or interfered with solely because modification has been made."

"The requirement to provide Installation Information does not include a requirement to continue to provide support service, warranty, or updates for a work that has been modified or installed by the recipient, or for the User Product in which it has been modified or installed."

"Corresponding Source conveyed, and Installation Information provided, in accordance with this section must be in a format that is publicly documented (and with an implementation available to the public in source code form), and must require no special password or key for unpacking, reading or copying."

Many developers, have attempted multiple times to obtain the source code, however ZTE simply refuses to follow the GPL Agreement, and the Bootloader on the device (ZTE Z970/ZMAX/Olympia) still remains locked and prevents development.

The developers are having faith that ZTE will resolve this issue and comply with GPL agreement, however, if there is still no compliance from ZTE, the Development Community will report the GPL Violation.