On Thu, 07 Oct 2004, Johan Walles wrote: > So this might be implicit, but doesn't this mean that Debian asks > users to accept and abide by the GPL to use the Linux kernel?
This is incorrect:
Activities other than copying, distribution and modification are
not covered by this License; they are outside its scope. The act
of running the Program is not restricted, [...] [GPL ยง0]
As you can see, mere use doesn't even require agreeing to the GPL.[1]
Moreover, there's a huge difference between tacit assent and explicit
assent. Licenses that require explicit assent for usage (or
distribution) are not acceptable for distribution in Debian, if for no
other reason than there is no method to attain explicit assent.
Don Armstrong
1: One can even argue that the act of private useage isn't even
protected under copyright... it's the distribution that's the key.
--
Build a fire for a man, an he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on
fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. -- Jules Bean
http://www.donarmstrong.com http://rzlab.ucr.edu
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