Several Android manufacturers would have no right to a distribution of Android-running devices, because parts of the source code are not made public. Because of this, they would be the GPLv2 license violate.
Android is distributed under the Apache license, but large parts of the Linux code on which Android runs, is equipped with the GPLv2 license. This means that manufacturers who make use of the underlying Linux kernel, have a duty to make their source code public. Because in many cases parts of the source code of the OS have not been published, they would open source license violation and therefore the distribution losses, reports Foss Patents.
Especially Googles Honeycomb version for tablets would risk the losses of the right of distribution of the underlying Linux kernel; Google has the source code of Honeycomb will not be made public, because the internetgigant not want that manufacturers, this would fit and use on devices such as smartphones.
By not publishing the source code would Android makers a great chance to walk on an indictment for breach of the GPLv2 license. In theory, it would, according to Foss every person that code contributed to the Linux kernel, a manufacturer can sue. This could result in that they are no longer Android devices can sell.