Randall Shimizu wrote:
One can be certain that there is motivations on both
sides. Novells goal is probably to establish itself as
the safe IP linux of choice. Novell is looking for a
edge over Novell, but I doubt things change will
change much for Redhat. Perhaps Redhat would become a
acqusistion target for Oracle...
There can be _no_ single *safe* distribution of Linux [1]. Period. The
GPL (any version) does not allow that. Either all distributions of Linux
are safe, or none are.
Novell, as a proxy for Microsoft, cannot pass on any conditions of use
for the exclusive use of their customers without violating any GPL'ed
software in the distribution. If they do, the poison pill clauses of the
GPL bar them from distributing the software at all.
In short, the GPL explicitly requires that any waiver of licensing by
Microsoft by way of Novell (and vice versa) must apply to all to whom
the software is distributed or the (GPL) license to distribute is
revoked because of copyright.
[1] Let's not quibble: by "Linux" I mean FOSS software released under
OSI compatible licenses.
--
Best Regards,
~DJA.
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