Yearslong fight over users' right to tweak smart TV software heads to trial

The Software Freedom Conservancy has sued Vizio, saying it failed to provide complete source code for Vizio OS as required by open-source licenses.

After years of delay, the case is headed to trial in California in August before a jury in Orange County Superior Court.

The dispute centers on Vizio’s Linux-based smart TV software and alleged violations of GPLv2 and LGPLv2.1 terms.

A ruling against Vizio could set an important precedent for source-code access on smart TVs and influence users’ ability to inspect, modify, and limit tracking features.