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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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RHEL no longer open source (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Seems like IBM is going to make RHEL closed source. What's everyone's opinion about the move? I feel RHEL is now the evil villain distro of the community.

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago (3 children)

and will prosecute any customers who distribute the code

Have they actually stated this, or is it just an opinion? Because my understanding of the GPL is that it would violate the license to put that restriction on their customers.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I worked for a fairly large tech company (not a household name, but well known in it's sector) and this was their policy for core business IP related changes GPL things. Modified GPL sources were neatly packaged up and available but it was a violation of the support contract to share them.

It ultimately doesn't matter (to those customers) if it's a violation of the license - the customers were large businesses who were not going to risk an expensive court case without a clear victory against a company they're investing hundreds of millions of dollars (or more) in, on some moral crusade.

I'm not defending it (and I did not enjoy working for said company), just saying that this model already exists.

Edit: I should also say that I have no idea if that's going to be RedHats policy, but it would make sense if it were.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

https://www.theregister.com/2023/06/23/red_hat_centos_move/

I suspect if they are not acting in accordance with the law, Oracle's lawyers will let them know shortly.

Seems unlikely IBM have announced this to the world without checking the GPL first.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

It’s not like the entire operating system is GPL. The customers are obviously free to redistribute the source for the free software components.