Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet? Scorpy
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 10:26, Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Scorpy
Absolutely as long as you do not turn around and sell it. -- Ken Schneider UNIX since 1989, linux since 1994, SuSE since 1998 * Only reply to the list please* "The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably the day they start making vacuum cleaners." -Ernst Jan Plugge
Le 6 Mars 2005 13:04, Ken Schneider a écrit :
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 10:26, Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Scorpy
Absolutely as long as you do not turn around and sell it.
we can surely sale it, many web site sell cd and dvd about suse everybody can take a gpl program and sale it
-- Ken Schneider UNIX since 1989, linux since 1994, SuSE since 1998
* Only reply to the list please*
"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably the day they start making vacuum cleaners." -Ernst Jan Plugge
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support. Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo. Thanks. ---- Bill Lugg Milstar Software Support Peterson AFB, CO
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 17:35, William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
Thanks.
You can call Novell/SuSE sales. The number should be on the web site. If they can't answer you no one can. -- Ken Schneider UNIX since 1989, linux since 1994, SuSE since 1998 * Only reply to the list please* "The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably the day they start making vacuum cleaners." -Ernst Jan Plugge
William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
As I understand it, you're free to use it, without buying anything. You can download everything you need, from the SuSE site. However, you are bound by the GPL, which means that if you develop stuff using GPL, you are supposed to share it, though I believe there are certain situations, such as internal use only, that don't require redistribution. The best thing, would be to go through the GPL, to make sure of your position. If you develop outside of the GPL, there are no requirements to make it available to others. As I mentioned above, you can download SuSE from their web site, but it certainly would be nice, if you bought some copies.
On Mon, 2005-03-07 at 00:05, James Knott wrote:
William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use.
As I mentioned above, you can download SuSE from their web site, but it certainly would be nice, if you bought some copies.
Even better: I would think at those bases, having rather expensive toys-for-boys, there should be some money left for decent a support contract. Not?
YaST used not to be Free Software but it is now (GPL IIRC). SUSE have answered this question in the past - the issue is one of resale, you can give the SUSE distro away but you can't resell it. You also need to take out all the commercial stuff they throw in. I believe the ftp version removes all that. If you redistribute any modifications of software released under the GPL then those modifications have to be GPL'ed too. (faq page on www.gnu.org) - other free software licences have similar conditions With your intended project you might need to make sure that you are not redistributing - does a different air force base count? None of my business of course, but throwing a few Dollars back into the free software pot might help you get a better version next time. On Sunday 06 March 2005 22:35, William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
Thanks. ---- Bill Lugg Milstar Software Support Peterson AFB, CO
On Sunday 06 March 2005 23:17, Gerry Gavigan wrote:
If you redistribute any modifications of software released under the GPL then those modifications have to be GPL'ed too. (faq page on www.gnu.org) - other free software licences have similar conditions
With your intended project you might need to make sure that you are not redistributing - does a different air force base count?
Doesn't matter. All the GPL requires is that the recipient of the binaries also receive the sources used to create those binaries under the same license. It doesn't require public redistribution under any circumstances
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 15:35 -0700, William H Lugg wrote:
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
You should to contact your local JAG office and have them research it. If any legal issues arise, it'll be their problem (initially) to deal with it.
Actually, another organization within the Air Force is doing the buying. They are also the ones that mandated our use of Linux (which, while being more expensive initially, is a good idea I think). We already tried to get them to go to legal to answer these questions but the request was soundly rejected. As I said, the plan now is to buy the licenses and I think we're going to stick with that line. As several have said, it's good to pour a little back into Open Source arena to help things improve. Thanks for the thoughts. ---- Bill Lugg Milstar Software Support Peterson AFB, CO On Sunday 06 March 2005 16:28, Jack wrote:
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 15:35 -0700, William H Lugg wrote:
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
You should to contact your local JAG office and have them research it. If any legal issues arise, it'll be their problem (initially) to deal with it.
Jack wrote:
On Sun, 2005-03-06 at 15:35 -0700, William H Lugg wrote:
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
You should to contact your local JAG office and have them research it. If any legal issues arise, it'll be their problem (initially) to deal with it.
I wonder if Catherine Bell can do some work for the Air Force? ;-)
On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 15:35:33 -0700, William H Lugg <wlugg@falconbroadband.net> wrote:
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff.
Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct?
No. The SuSE software you have in mind is freely distributable.
Where could I go to get a warm and fuzzy on the correct approach from a legal perspective? I've looked at the GPL and some other info on the SuSE site, but have trouble getting past the legal mumbo jumbo.
The legal question revolves around your app and DB, and whether or not they derive from any GPL licensed software. Simply compiling your app with gcc does not mean it is "derived" from GPL software. Take NetBSD as a case in point; they use a GPL (gcc) compiler toolchain, but their NetBSD source code retains the BSD license, not encumbered by the GPL. But if you want to feel warm and fuzzy, find a good copyright lawyer and pay him for advice; IANAL.
On Mon, 2005-03-07 at 02:32, John Kelly wrote:
The legal question revolves around your app and DB, and whether or not they derive from any GPL licensed software. Simply compiling your app with gcc does not mean it is "derived" from GPL software. Take NetBSD as a case in point; they use a GPL (gcc) compiler toolchain, but their NetBSD source code retains the BSD license, not encumbered by the GPL.
I thought however, if "a product" was using GPL-based runtime libraries, it was already considered "derived". Wrong assumption?
On Mon, 07 Mar 2005 09:39:09 +0100, Hans Witvliet <hwit@a-domani.nl> wrote:
I thought however, if "a product" was using GPL-based runtime libraries, it was already considered "derived".
Wrong assumption?
According to the LGPL:
When a program is linked with a library, whether statically or using a shared library, the combination of the two is legally speaking a combined work, a derivative of the original library.
The ordinary General Public License therefore permits such linking only if the entire combination fits its criteria of freedom.
The Lesser General Public License permits more lax criteria for linking other code with the library.
So the question becomes GPL vs. LGPL. -- A: Maybe because some people are too annoyed by top-posting. Q: Why do I not get an answer to my question(s)? A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
On Monday 07 March 2005 00:35, William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
For this kind of scenario, Novell Linux Desktop 9 powered by SUSE LINUX fits like a glove. NLD9 is manageable with ZENworks. You can distribute applications with that, you can image stations, modify software configurations "en masse", send patches to all the managed machines after testing them etc. "Mass management" is keyword with ZENworks. NLD9 shares the same base as SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9. It's called SUSE CORE 9. And NLD9 is supported for 5 years, while Pro is just 2 years. Going with Pro for what you've described would far, far from optimal.
On Mon, 2005-03-07 at 12:04, Silviu Marin-Caea wrote:
On Monday 07 March 2005 00:35, William H Lugg wrote:
On Sunday 06 March 2005 11:34, James Knott wrote:
Scorpy wrote:
Can this version be used free of charge without limitations in a company if i download it from the internet?
Yes. You can use it on as many systems as you want.
How about this. I'mworking on a project for the Air Force that is planning on taking the SuSE distro, weeding out the stuff that isn't needed (games, office apps, etc.), adding our in-house developed app and DB and repackage it for distribution to various sites (Military bases) for use. The plan is to use YaST to do the installation of our app and DB as well as the standard stuff. Our current take is that we need to hold a purchased SuSE license for each site that will use the app. Is this correct? Note that we aren't looking for SuSE support for these distributed licenses and the users come to us for support.
For this kind of scenario, Novell Linux Desktop 9 powered by SUSE LINUX fits like a glove.
NLD9 is manageable with ZENworks. You can distribute applications with that, you can image stations, modify software configurations "en masse", send patches to all the managed machines after testing them etc. "Mass management" is keyword with ZENworks.
You can use ZENworks for one/two PC's for testing without buying a licence.
NLD9 shares the same base as SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9. It's called SUSE CORE 9.
And NLD9 is supported for 5 years, while Pro is just 2 years. Going with Pro for what you've described would far, far from optimal.
-- Ken Schneider UNIX since 1989, linux since 1994, SuSE since 1998 * Only reply to the list please* "The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably the day they start making vacuum cleaners." -Ernst Jan Plugge
participants (12)
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Anders Johansson
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Gerry Gavigan
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Hans Witvliet
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Jack
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James Knott
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John Kelly
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Ken Schneider
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Marc Collin
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Philipp Thomas
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Scorpy
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Silviu Marin-Caea
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William H Lugg