Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on November 13, 2005 12:31 AM
Mepis does include GPLed software, but the Mepis code/scripts (i.e. those specifically written by Warren and his crew) are *not* released under the GPL or any other free software license (-: which is rather ironic, considering that Mepis made its own the motto "Montani semper liberi" - moutaineers are always free<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:-)
On the Mepis website it says:
1. Can I legally copy MEPIS Linux CDs and give them to my friends, etc?
You can make copies of the SimplyMEPIS bootable CD and give them away for non-commercial purposes only.
2. Can I sell MEPIS Linux CDs?
The SimplyMEPIS CD is released under a GPL collective work license which theoretically allows you to make and sell copies.
However you may not use the MEPIS name or logo without permission. Therefore, in effect, you can not legally sell copies of MEPIS CDs without our permission.
This limitation to non-commercial purposes is fundamentally incompatible with the definition of free software's freedom number 2: The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor. (...) A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission.
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Posted by: Anonymous Coward on November 13, 2005 12:31 AMOn the Mepis website it says:
1. Can I legally copy MEPIS Linux CDs and give them to my friends, etc?
You can make copies of the SimplyMEPIS bootable CD and give them away for non-commercial purposes only.
2. Can I sell MEPIS Linux CDs?
The SimplyMEPIS CD is released under a GPL collective work license which theoretically allows you to make and sell copies.
However you may not use the MEPIS name or logo without permission. Therefore, in effect, you can not legally sell copies of MEPIS CDs without our permission.
This limitation to non-commercial purposes is fundamentally incompatible with the definition of free software's freedom number 2: The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor. (...) A program is free software if users have all of these freedoms. Thus, you should be free to redistribute copies, either with or without modifications, either gratis or charging a fee for distribution, to anyone anywhere. Being free to do these things means (among other things) that you do not have to ask or pay for permission.
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