Quoting Andres Montiel ([EMAIL PROTECTED]): > I've been thinking about what they're doing (not producing a freely > distributable/downloadable version). I thought that all Linux distros, > based on the GPL license, should be freely distributable?
First, you seem to be assuming that, if a codebase must (by its licence terms) be freely distributable, that somebody in particular is obliged to (in fact) distribute it. Let's say that you (hypothetically) had the right to redistribute Xandros OS. OK -- but would that mean you're _obliged_ to redistribute it? No? Then why would anyone else be obliged to do so? Second, you're assuming that GNU GPL v. 2's clause-3 obligation to provide source code access necessitates offering downloadable copies. That's not what the licence says: Clause 3b says that that obligation can be satisfied by a written offer, good for three years and open to any party, to provide source code on machine-readable media commonly used for software interchange, for a fee no greater than the cost of duplication. Third, you're (it seems) assuming that entire Linux distributions are covered by the GNU GPL. In fact, most of the codebases in such a distribution are under other licences (Perl Artistic Licence, 2-clause and 3-clause BSD, MIT/X Consortium, Apache Licence, IBM Common Public Licence, LGPL, MPL, etc.) Merely being on the same disk as GPLed code does _not_ impose a requirement for that other code to have licensing even compatible with the GPL, let alone for the GPL to apply to it: The GPL itself says this is "mere aggregation", which means the GPL's effects do not take into effect that other code at all. Please do read through the text of the GPL, itself. It does require attentive reading, but overall isn't difficult to understand. Especially please note that clause 3b's source-access provision is a requirement to offer matching source code to GPL-covered codebases _if and only if_ those codebases have been distributed to outside parties in binary form. Xandros is free to satisfy its GPL obligation in any of a number of ways, and you can undoubtedly find out how Xandros does that, merely by buying a copy of the binary boxed set, reading its written notices inside the box, and seeing how or where you can get source code. (You might, for example, need only to mail them a small cheque for the cost of duplication, and they'll mail you back a source-code CD-ROM.) Please note that, under that provision of the GPL, all you'd be entitled to is the _source code_ (not the binaries) of GPL-covered codebases that Xandros has been distributing in public. Please also note that this doesn't entitle you to anything else, and in particular it has nothing to say about non-GPLed applications. Also, if you have the impression that the GPL imposes any obligation of access to _binaries_, then you're simply mistaken. -- Cheers, I once successfully declined a departmental retreat, Rick Moen saying that on that day I planned instead to advance. [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Alan J. Rosenthal, in the Monastery _ Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fully Searchable Archives With Friendly Web Interface at http://marc.free.net.ph To subscribe to the Linux Newbies' List: send "subscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
