It is a good thing but what they should realise is the quicker they can make a fully open phone then the sooner they take market share off of Apple.

The more open it is the more the community will be able to help them make a world class phone.

Opening the code does not necessirly mean it has to be GPL they could open the code to be modified only for this device, no rights on other devices for instance.

Opening the code does not transfer copyrights in much the same way as reading a book does not make you the owner of the book.

Trouble is it takes closed minded corporate managers a long time to realise this is the best/most profitable way on the route to opensource!

My vote goes towards opening the code.

rgds