License Matters
Welcome
Things have been pretty quiet in Free Software for a few years now. When I started this job, Linux and the little mystery ship we call Open Source were fighting for survival.
Dear Reader,
Things have been pretty quiet in Free Software for a few years now. When I started this job, Linux and the little mystery ship we call Open Source were fighting for survival. Microsoft, SCO, and other large companies were bringing all their powers to break up that delicate balance of code freedom established by the GNU Public License (GPL). Much of the battle was fought through PR stunts and misinformation, but some of it was fought in courtrooms – and the GPL always won.
But things could be heating up again. Red Hat recently announced that only paying customers will have access to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) source code, and apparently, if the customer tries to exercise the rights to that code as defined in the GPL, Red Hat will terminate the customer agreement. This Kafkaesque bit of legal juggling seems like a blast from the combative past. Only this time, the lawyers have had 15 additional years to perfect their skills at surgical hair splitting.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Microsoft Issues Warning About Linux Vulnerability
The company behind Windows has released information about a flaw that affects millions of Linux systems.
-
Is AI Coming to Your Ubuntu Desktop?
According to the VP of Engineering at Canonical, AI could soon be added to the Ubuntu desktop distribution.
-
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Competes with the Best
Framework has released what might be considered the MacBook of Linux devices.
-
The Latest CachyOS Features Supercharged Kernel
The latest release of CachyOS brings with it an enhanced version of the latest Linux kernel.
-
Kernel 7.0 Is a Bit More Rusty
Linux kernel 7.0 has been released for general availability, with Rust finally getting its due.
-
France Says "Au Revoir" to Microsoft
In a move that should surprise no one, France announced plans to reduce its reliance on US technology, and Microsoft Windows is the first to get the boot.
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.
-
KDE Gets Some Resuscitation
KDE is bringing back two themes that vanished a few years ago, putting a bit more air under its wings.
-
Ubuntu 26.04 Beta Arrives with Some Surprises
Ubuntu 26.04 is almost here, but the beta version has been released, and it might surprise some people.
-
Ubuntu MATE Dev Leaving After 12 years
Martin Wimpress, the maintainer of Ubuntu MATE, is now searching for his successor. Are you the next in line?