<p>Modern smart TVs come with software that tracks viewing habits to deliver targeted advertising directly on the TV screen. Software Freedom Conservancy purchased a Vizio TV to develop an open-source version of the operating system that was more customizable and didn't track users to show them ads. This Vizio TV runs on Linux, an operating system that legally requires manufacturers to share the code that lets users customize their devices. When SFC asked Vizio to provide the <ahref="glossary.html#ccs">complete, corresponding
source code (“CCS”)</a>, they refused. SFC sued Vizio in the Orange County Superior Court to receive this essential information.</p>
<p>When Vizio chose to use Linux in its TVs, it accepted Linux's reciprocal contract, which gives purchasers all the rights that Vizio had, to modify and install the software onto the Vizio TV.However, when SFC asked Vizio to hold up its end of the bargain, by giving SFC the source code that SFC was owed so SFC could make the TVs better serve their users, Vizio refused. After multiple years of back and forth with Vizio, SFC knew the only way Vizio would comply with the license and give SFC the <acronymtitle="complete, corresponding source code">CCS</acronym> was to sue Vizio. So in October 2021 SFC sued Vizio in California state court.</p>
<p>The lawsuit is filed as a third-party beneficiary of GPLv2 (the license and contract that Linux and other software uses). This means that, as a purchaser of a Vizio TV, SFC has rights in the contract that Vizio has with the developers of Linux and other software Vizio uses. SFC seeks to confirm in the courts that purchasers of devices running Linux and other software with reciprocal licenses like GPLv2 have a legal right to ask for, and receive, the source code for those devices, so they can adapt the software to their needs, and make practical use of those adaptations by being able to install those changes back onto the devices they purchased.</p>
<p>We have already seen the huge benefits that GPLv2 provides to device purchasers through projects
like OpenWrt, which allows owners of broadband routers to customize the functionality and features of these devices to better serve them. As an example, users can install ad-blocking software on their router to keep invasive advertising away from their children. This is just one of many ways that companies complying with the GPL is important, and why SFC wants to confirm this third-party right to source code in the courts.</p>
<p>This case could help establish whether you, as a consumer, have the right to modify and improve the technology you've purchased rather than being forced to use it exactly as manufacturers dictate.</p>
<spanclass="summary-title">Removal and Remand (federal to state) <span>[Fall 2021]</span></span>
</summary>
<ul>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/2023-4-28_VIZIOs_Motion_for_Summary_Judgment_with_Reservation.pdf">Vizio's Motion to Remove (to federal court)</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808.24.0_1.pdf">SFC's Motion to Remand (to state court)</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/Vizio_summary_judgement_reply_brief.pdf">Vizio's Opposition of SFC's Motion to Remand (to state court)</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808.32.0.pdf">Transcript of the hearing of the motion to remand</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808/gov.uscourts.cacd.837808.30.0.pdf">Decision by the federal court to remand the case to state court</a></li>
<spanclass="summary-title">Vizio's Motion for Summary Judgment <span>[Spring 2023]</span></span>
</summary>
<ul>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/2023-4-28_VIZIOs_Motion_for_Summary_Judgment_with_Reservation.pdf">Vizio's Motion for Summary Judgment</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/SFC_response_to_summary_judgement.pdf">SFC's response to Vizio's Motion for Summary Judgment</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/Vizio_summary_judgement_reply_brief.pdf">Vizio's reply to SFC's response to Vizio's Motion for Summary Judgment</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/Transcript_Full_Vizios_MSJ_HearingDeptC-33.231005.pdf">Full transcript from the hearing</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/Order_Denying_Vizio_Motion_for_Summary_Judgement_12-29-23.pdf">Judge's ruling denying Vizio's Motion for Summary Judgment</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/397.pdf">Judge's rulings on Motions to Compel</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/411.pdf">Joint Statement re deadline on Motions to Compel and in-person inspection motion</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/412.pdf">Setting trial date per Mandatory Settlement Conference result</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/423.pdf">Joint Statement re deadline on Motions to Compel and in-person inspection motion</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/431.pdf">Trial date unset in order to try private mediation</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/442.pdf">Joint stipulation delaying Status Conference on discovery motions</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/444.pdf">Joint Statement requesting trial rescheduling and bench trial</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/450.pdf">Judge confirming rescheduled Status Conference and hearing dates</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/456.pdf">Status Conference result and new trial date of 2025-09-15</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://sfconservancy.org/docs/2025-05-23_SFC-vs-Vizio_second-SFC-Motion-for-Summary-Adjudication.pdf">SFC's Second Motion for Summary Adjudication (2025-05-23)</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/486.pdf">Statement of "undisputed material facts"</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/488.pdf">Request for judicial notice in support of Motion for Summary Adjudication</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/490.pdf">Appendix of exhibits</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/501.pdf">SFC's motion to set hearing date on its Motion for Summary Adjudication</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/507.pdf">Vizio's qualified non-opposition to set hearing</a></li>
<li><ahref="https://usethesource.sfconservancy.org/tmp_vizio_docs/511.pdf">Judge's order on hearing date and new trial date of 2025-09-22</a></li>
