The linked site may be useful, but where on that site did you find a download link for the specific software version (including modifications) used? All I see is a generic link to ConnMan's project website. I don't think that suffices?
I think BMW would argue that contributing their modifications directly to the ConnMan Git repository for others to use would suffice. You can find a list of BMW's commits to the ConnMan project here (Daniel Wagner seems to be the main developer from BMW Car IT working on it):
BMW would be wrong to argue that. They are required to provide corresponding source code, which means the exact version they put in the cars, with any patch files and build scripts needed to build it.
In the era of distributed source control, it seems reasonable to me if "provide" meant, "link to a repo with our changes". I can see why that's not in the letter of the GPL (e.g., what if github ceases to exist ten years from now, and you want to tinker on your car), but for now it seems reasonable.
The actual relevant text of GPLv3 is in section 6d:
d) Convey the object code by offering access from a designated
place (gratis or for a charge), and offer equivalent access to the
Corresponding Source in the same way through the same place at no
further charge. You need not require recipients to copy the
Corresponding Source along with the object code. If the place to
copy the object code is a network server, the Corresponding Source
may be on a different server (operated by you or a third party)
that supports equivalent copying facilities, provided you maintain
clear directions next to the object code saying where to find the
Corresponding Source. Regardless of what server hosts the
Corresponding Source, you remain obligated to ensure that it is
available for as long as needed to satisfy these requirements.
In GPLv2, this reads a bit differently:
If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering
access to copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent
access to copy the source code from the same place counts as
distribution of the source code, even though third parties are not
compelled to copy the source along with the object code.
GPLv3 here seems a bit clearer to me. This in fact is one of the better reasons for GPLv3. It gives more modern options for distributing source code, since internet distribution became a lot more popular by the time GPLv3 was written.
The code is licensed under GPL 2, but I agree the GPL 3 is actually much clearer & seems to suggest they're in compliance. (At least in respect to ConnMan.)
Either way, if people are genuinely concerned and want a specific version of the source code for their car, it seems Daniel Wagner is a contact at BMW to ask. There's an email address in the git repository commits.
Yes, but that is just the ConnMan development repository. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think BMW would need to redistribute the exact version of ConnMan that they used, including any modifications made. At least a deep link to a branch or tag would be nice.
