Source unavailable under an OpenSource license

Question

I'm interested in the Google's Wave project, it is listed as Apache License 2.0 yet the source is unavailable :

Quote :
Welcome to the Wave Robot Java Client Library

This project hosts the JAR and the JavaDoc for the Wave Robot Java Client Library. In the near future, we will also release the source code.

If you run into issues while using the client library, you can post them in the Issue Tracker or discuss them in the Wave API Forum.

Does the fact it's Apache License 2.0 mean I can decompile this and show the source to colleagues ?

Does this actually violate the terms of APLv2 by keeping the source closed ?

Answer 1

The Apache License allows you to distribute binaries of the software without the source—that's one of the reasons it appeals greatly to businesses (not that Google appears to be afraid of the GPL).

Answer 2

Even if Google were distributing some software under the GPL, they could release just binaries if they owned the copyright to the entire work. It would just mean that no one else could distribute it further unless they came into possession of source code to distribute with it. Remember, terms conditionally allowing distribution in a license are not binding upon the copyright owner.

Answer 3

Just wait a while. As they say, they will release the source code too - just not yet. From the keynote speech I would assume that the sourcecode will be available sometime later this year.