this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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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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OK, so is Redhat breaking any license? Do you really think a company like Redhat would open itself to thousands of lawsuits like that. The CEO already explained that this is totally legal and covered by GPL. They are in fact distributing the source to the people receiving the product. This is exactly what GPL says. They are not forced to open the source code to people who aren't getting the distributed software.
What is your complaint then? They are not breaking any law and they are following the GPL license.
I was using the webframework/language as examples because you said this wasn't a matter of law but a matter of principle. So why does the principle apply to Redhat but not the million other products that totally depend on FOSS on their core?
So many projects do in fact distribute the FOSS, but they use more permissive licenses like MIT, Apache or LGPL. BUT you're saying the law is not relevant, what matters is the principle. So why don't everyone release their code if they depend on FOSS on their core products? Because they aren't breaking the Apache or MIT licenses? Well, that's great! Redhar isn't breaking the GPL license either. Why must Redhat follow whatever subjective principles you have?
— "hey there's this company creating a commercial product around FOSS. They aren't breaking any license."
— "Nice, as long as the licenses aren't compromised"
— "It's Redhat"
— "Those mofos! How dare they!"
RedHat is not breaking any licenses, but neither are people who acquire the source code and redistribute it. This is also covered under GPL.