Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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A Comprehensive Analysis of the GPL Issues With the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Business Model | Software Freedom Conservancy (sfconservancy.org)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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...this completes what appears to be a decade-long plan by Red Hat to maximize the level of difficulty of those in the community who wish to “trust but verify” that RHEL complies with the GPL agreements. Namely, Red Hat has badly thwarted efforts by entities such as Rocky Linux and Alma Linux. These entities are de-facto the intellectual successors to CentOS Linux project that Red Hat carefully dismantled over the last decade

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

In essence, Red Hat requires their customers to choose between (a) their software freedom and rights, and (b) remaining a Red Hat customer.

A very good writeup, made me better understand the way Red Hat is creatively interpreting the GPL. I hope they won't just get away with this and go back to better cooperating with the FOSS community.

[–] pete 7 points 1 year ago

Honestly, while I agree, I'd assume that the people with enough money to sue IBM also have enough money to just buy license. Seems like a no win for us.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Context just before that quote:

As we understand it, this contract clearly states that the terms do not intend to contradict any rights to copy, modify, redistribute and/or reinstall the software as many times and as many places as the customer likes (see §1.4). Additionally, though, the contract indicates that if the customer engages in these activities, that Red Hat reserves the right to cancel that contract and make no further contracts with the customer for support and update services.

This is rich, don't know how many people are aware of that.