Overview

Microsoft has postponed the re-release of its Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT), a utility designed to help users create bootable USB drives or DVDs to install Windows 7. This delay follows the company's admission that the tool included copied code from the open-source "Imagemaster" project, which is licensed under the GPLv2 (GNU General Public License). Microsoft is currently testing a revamped version of the tool and aims to release it in the next few weeks.

Background

When Windows 7 was released, Microsoft introduced the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool to assist users, especially those using netbooks or systems without optical drives, with upgrading or clean-installing Windows 7 using USB media. However, shortly after its initial release, a blogger named Rafael Rivera noticed and claimed that Microsoft incorporated code from the GPLv2-licensed Imagemaster open-source project into the tool without proper attribution or sharing the modifications' source code, which is required by the GPL terms.

As a consequence, Microsoft removed the tool from its website to address the licensing issues and promised to re-release a version that complies fully with open-source licensing requirements.

Technical Details

  • The original Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool was found to contain code lifted from the GPLv2-licensed Imagemaster open-source project.
  • The GPLv2 license requires that any modifications or derivative works distribute their source code under the same license.
  • Microsoft initially did not acknowledge the use of the open-source code or share its modifications, violating the license's terms.
  • The existing released tool was relatively small in size (~946KB), but the open-source version grew to about 2.59MB due to included source code and added steps.
  • Microsoft aims to maintain the same user experience while ensuring the tool adheres to open-source guidelines, which includes releasing the source code publicly.

Implications and Impact

This episode underscores the importance for major corporations like Microsoft to respect open-source licenses and community expectations. There are several broader implications:

  1. Legal and Licensing Compliance: Adhering to open-source licenses such as GPLv2 is legally binding. Microsoft’s acknowledgment and delay to comply demonstrates the seriousness of license enforcement, even for large corporations.
  2. Community Trust: Open-source communities expect transparency, attribution, and contribution back to projects. Proper compliance strengthens trust and fosters collaboration, while ignoring licenses can cause reputational damage.
  3. Open-Source Movement: Microsoft's initial oversight and eventual compliance signify the company's complicated but evolving relationship with open-source software—transitioning from proprietary practices toward embracing open-source principles.
  4. Practical Utility for Users: Users awaiting the tool will experience delays in accessing an officially compliant version. However, the release will benefit from greater scrutiny, openness, and possibly improved utility.

Analysis

Microsoft’s decision to delay the tool’s release to align with GPLv2 license requirements reflects an important case in open-source governance for proprietary firms. This situation also highlights the challenges companies face when integrating open-source code into commercial products:

  • The GPLv2 license ensures that derivatives remain open and shared, which can conflict with companies' desire to keep code proprietary.
  • Microsoft's eventual acceptance to open-source the tool signifies progress towards embracing open-source standards.
  • Developers and the open-source community can now review and contribute to the tool, leading to improved security, functionality, and innovation.

Given Microsoft’s commitment to releasing the updated tool in the “next few weeks,” users and developers can expect a more transparent and legally compliant utility soon.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s temporary delay in re-releasing the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool due to licensing issues serves as a cautionary tale about open-source compliance. It reinforces the significance of respecting open-source licenses like GPLv2 and demonstrates Microsoft’s growing alignment with open-source values by planning to provide the tool's source code openly. This move will ultimately benefit the broader Windows and open-source user community alike.