Google wants to ban customised Android ROMs

Google is taking action against the CyanogenMod project for offering customised Android firmware. The search giant primarily objects to CyanogenMod distributing proprietary Google applications like Google Talk and Android Market without a licence and has ordered the developer to discontinue his work immediately. The CyanogenMods contain several customised graphical elements and already offer a range of features which will be part of the forthcoming Android version 1.6 (code name Donut).

The CyanogenMod project's website became unavailable this afternoon, but the developer is keeping his users informed via Twitter. He is currently seeking to reach an agreement with Google. A petition app became available to download earlier today that Android users can run to try to help save CyanogenMod.

Although the Android project itself is open source, most implementations of it as an embedded operating system for a physical device also incorporate proprietary software (as is the case with the HTC smartphone) which may not be freely copied. Apart from the physical device design it is this proprietary software that allows the manufacturers to differentiate their products in the marketplace.

(crve)