[CoLoCo] GPL Issues with Xandros

[David L. Willson]

I don't think Jim adequately pounded on this point:  Not everyone is entitled to the
four freedoms with a GPL package, only those that have legally obtained the package are
entitled to the four freedoms.  Sometimes, that legal acquisition includes payment.   
GPL (or 'free') does not always include free-as-in-beer.  Counterpoint: freedom from
price, like a free beer, or a free magazine subscription, or free admission to an event,
does not always include freedom from ridiculous licensing terms.  Although GPL products
are usually available "for free", there is no requirement for them to be so.  Free, in
the case of free software, means "free to use, study, modify, and redistribute" but not
necessarily to "acquire without payment".

On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 21:08:30 -0700, Jim Hutchinson wrote
> Anything that is GPL'd only has to be made available in source code.
> They do not have to package their OS for free use. You can download
> anything that is GPL'd and rebuild the OS (or all the GPL parts at
> least). They do have a link to the source code. You just have to
> search really hard to find it.
> 
> http://www.xandros.com/support/source_code.html
> 
> Jim
> 
> On 11/6/07, Michael TheZorch Haney <thezorch at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I think there's a rather serious issue with the Linux distro Xandros and
> > the GPL.  It is a Linux OS thus it falls under the GPL yet you cannot
> > freely download a copy of it nor is there any way I've seen to obtain
> > the source code.  The only way to get it is to buy it or get a 30-day
> > limited free trial version.  These are clear GPL violations and I am
> > wondering why they haven't been challenged over it yet?
> 
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David L. Willson
Trainer/Engineer/Consultant
MCT, MCSE, Linux+
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