On 7/27/06, Shachar Shemesh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Uri Even-Chen wrote: > They may also include technical means to > prevent people from installing it without a license (such as > "activation" in Windows XP).
They cannot, in actuality. First of all, it is a GPL violation to modify the kernel in such a way. [snip]
They can attach the license to non-GPLed components, but then only those components will be protected by it.
They don't have to modify the kernel. They can create a new distribution, an "operating system", with some proprietary programs included in it. These proprietary programs will require a license, and they will make sure that the entire "operating system" will not work without activation (which will require buying a license). What will stop them from doing it? It's possible both technically and legally. If you will not want to use the proprietary components of this distribution, you will probably install another distribution, won't you? Why would you use such a distribution? And they can make sure that the entire distribution will not work without activation. The only reason why a company would not want to do it, is for business reasons (competition). But I don't see any legal problem. Uri. ================================================================= To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word "unsubscribe" in the message body, e.g., run the command echo unsubscribe | mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
