Conflict between the Android community and Google

First of all, I want to express my surprise that such a significant event for the Android platform has passed by Habrahabr. We are talking about claims of Google to the developers of third-party firmware for devices with Android.


I think everyone knows that Google presents the Android platform as a completely open platform. In practice, this is not entirely true. For a simple launch of the Android platform on any of the existing Android phones, proprietary components are required. Also, all programs for working with Google services are closed: Gmail, Youtube, Android Market, Google talk and some other parts.
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At the moment, a huge distribution of third-party platform assemblies with various changes that copy these proprietary components from the original firmware.

One of the most popular firmware is CyanogenMOD firmware, which is developed by Steve Kondik, known under the pseudonym cyanogen. He made great efforts to finalize the platform to the state when it became possible to use it. First of all, it is worth noting the tremendous work to increase the speed and responsiveness of the interface. About 30 thousand people use its firmware version.

Chronology of events

September 24

• Google has sent Steve an official letter requesting that they stop distributing their firmware modification. Google argued that it illegally distributes software to access Google services and violates the license.
• This information was published in English-language thematic blogs, as well as on the site forum.xda-developers.com, which is the place where the active part of the Android community gathered. Twitter and forums were filled with outraged comments like: “Google: the second Apple”, “Do no evil” and etc.
• Michael Huang creates and publishes the program “Save CyanogeMOD ​​petition” in the Android Market, which quickly takes the lead in downloads. At the moment, it has already downloaded about 40 thousand people.

September 25

• Dan Morrill Published Official Position
  Google’s Android Developers Blog
  The answer confirms the illegality of the creation and distribution of Android assemblies, which include programs for using the company's services. Including can not use the Android Market.
• Most of the creators of alternative firmware do not want to distribute "warez"
• Publishing information on Slashdot and Digg drops site

September 26

• A team of enthusiasts forum.xda-developers.com decide to start a truly open Android Open Source Project. It was decided to rewrite the missing components. Work has already begun.
  
• Cyanogen in his twitter claims that he came up with a scheme that will allow to get out of the situation.

September 27

• The next CyanogenMOD firmware will not contain proprietary components from Google, but the user will be able to “google” his phone himself.
  Cyanogen blog post

On this until the story is over.

ps I apologize in advance for errors.