Many of you may have followed the CherryOS debacle that has taken place recently. For those not in the now, here is a brief summary.

CherryOS was developed as a PowerPC emulator, allowing someone to run Apple’s Mac OS X on a Windows-based PC. However, once it was released and people started digging around, it began to look very similar to PearPC, an open-source project that is also a PowerPC emulator. Apparently, the person/company who developed CherryOS had used parts of the PearPC code, and possibly other open-source projects, to produce this software.

CherryOS was purchased by Maui X-Stream (MXS) and was expected to be released. That is apparently not going to happen as the developer of CherryOS, Arben Kryeziu, announced on his blog the other day that he is shutting down the project.

Allegations also began to arise that MXS was using open-source code in its video streaming products. Michael Bell over at DrukenBlog has written what could amount to a short novella of information on the MXS video streaming software, showing where it calls particluar pieces of open-source software as part of its processes (xvid, Media Player Classic, LAME, SHOUTcase, etc.).

The piece is really worth the read if you have the time. Very interesting stuff that Michael has dug up regarding connections that MXS has with other companies and such.

Related posts:

Eudora Goes Open Source
Running a Successful Open Source Project
Open Source Windows Software
The Emerging Economics of Open Source Software
Open Source in Government

Hope you like that post!

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