problems with network install of Suse 9.3?

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005, Technomage wrote:

> 2. the x86_64 for Suse 9.3 has an installer that doesn't
> work (because they have hidden the 9.3 directory under i386)
> ...
> 4. in their online docs, they stipulate that no on is
> allowed to mirror this product in any way (in direct
> violation of GPL which they agreed to by modification of the
> linux source code)!
>
> my big question is this: What is wrong with this picture????????

The GPL, v.2, in each numbered clause requires certain
behaviours as to the combined act of 'copy and distribute'.

One may privately use GPL derived content without any general
obligation to released forked code path sources to the world.
The forked source provision duties, and such only arise when
there is a 'distribution'

Playing devil's advocate for a moment, how it is their duty to
distribute (or facilitate others in distributing) their
compiled distribution to a random third party, when it appears
to be their intention and practice to prevent clause 3 copying
by the disabling steps you outline?

They have a clear right to proceed under section 3b, if, for
example, they were doing a 'copy and distribute' delivery of
some product to a customer or intended recipient. If there is
no delivery, the GPL source availability, and binary
re-distribution requirements simply do not kick in.

They of course cannot restrict that recipient from publishing
an archive of the GPL parts. But from what you say, the
internet based distribution mechanisms seem to be consciously
disabled.

As to non-GPL parts (and there are many such packages in a
modern distribution), different rules probably apply. The
complete product may (and probably does) contain trademark
restricted items, and possibly items which they may be
prohibited from re-distributing (patent/license encumbered mp3
codec audio encoder packages, pine, flash players, java, etc.)

What do you see as wrong?

<include disclaimer IA_AL>

- Russ Herrold
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