Selling linux ?

SiB · 2008-08-12 15:20:08

Hi,

I would like to know if it possible to sell Linux. Let me explain my situation.

I want to start an embedded project running linux at it's core.

If I sell the device running linux and give the modified source code to the buyer, is it then compatible with the GPL ? Am I breaking any clauses of the GPL ?

Barrucadu · 2008-08-12 15:39:09

GPL-licensed software can be sold - as long as you provide the source code.

Last edited by Barrucadu (2008-08-12 15:39:33)

Acecero · 2008-08-12 15:39:59

By what it states from Wikipedia here,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License

"The FSF argues that free software should not place restrictions on commercial use, and the GPL explicitly states that GPL works may be sold at any price."

I don't see any wrong with what you are doing.

Last edited by Acecero (2008-08-12 15:40:29)

ravster · 2008-08-12 15:46:14

Go for it. And good luck with your enterprise.

catwell · 2008-08-12 16:10:39

Be careful though: the buyer will be allowed to redistribute the source code, under the terms of the GPL.

SiB · 2008-08-12 16:13:54

Yea well, the source will be "kinda" useless without the proper hardware no?

.:B:. · 2008-08-12 16:21:39

It will be useful, because they'll be able to see how the stuff works. You don't need anything but a text editor for that. They can compile it if they have a compiler, if it runs on a platform they do not have, they can use a cross-platform toolchain, etc.

So there's no way it will be 'useless'.

Obi-Lan · 2008-08-12 18:47:22

I think it would be better if you sell service and support and give the software itself free. This way it doesn't hurt so much even if some would use your software.

But this is just my opinion. I think that sell product x for price y -thinking won't work so well with opensource.

Last edited by Obi-Lan (2008-08-12 18:50:01)

SiB · 2008-08-12 20:06:35

Yea well, I can't give away the hardware device for free you know? The software will be packaged with the hardware ala linksys linux router style...

freakcode · 2008-08-13 01:37:49

There's no problem, really. As I see it, you are selling the device as a product, the buyer doesn't distinguish it like the hardware + embedded software.

As previously stated: just make the source code available, under the same terms it was released (in Linux's case, GPL).

SiC · 2008-08-13 18:59:17

Indeed, a tarball linked to on the website will be sufficient under the GPL, or you can provide a CD with it on, as long as it is available to the buyer then it's fine. Anyway, your distribution of GPL software is no different to the people who sell fedora with a fedora for dummies book. They are buying the software and the hardware; as has already been stated

Dusty · 2008-08-13 19:23:45

I'm just curious about the users posting in this thread... is SiC the sequel to SiB? :-D Is it time for SiC++ to join the group?

SiC · 2008-08-13 19:38:18

I don't know if you'd want a plus sized version of me, that could be dangerous... I have enough ego already as it is LMAO

donpachi · 2008-08-14 21:50:53

Bestbuy sell UBANTO for $19.99 of your American dollars.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp … 1587312374

foutrelis · 2008-08-15 03:22:17

donpachi wrote:

Bestbuy sell UBANTO for $19.99 of your American dollars.

Misspelling another distro's name (on purpose) is plain stupid. It doesn't make you superior or anything.

Please refrain from doing so in the future.

On topic: As others already have stated, it's perfectly fine to modify GPL'd software and then sell it, as long as you provide the source for your changes under the same license.

Last edited by foutrelis (2008-08-15 03:25:02)

iphitus · 2008-08-15 03:49:00

But of course, you only have to provide the source for anything changed, gpl based, or linking to GPL libs.

You can write your own closed source software and run that on it fine, so long as it's not GPL based and doesnt link to any GPL libs. That way the competition don't get your nice fancy user interface or whatever you are doing with it.

Last edited by iphitus (2008-08-15 03:50:11)

SiB · 2008-08-15 16:09:30

Let's say I build a closed source interface and I link to LGPL libs, would that be okay? I need to evaluate the open source business model, I would really like to open the code of the interface but I don't know what stopping competitors from doing a cheap knockoff of my product...

EDIT:
Or maybe I can open the core of the program and keep the interface closed...

Last edited by SiB (2008-08-15 16:11:00)

iphitus · 2008-08-15 16:15:52

afaik closed can link to the LGPL, that's the point of it, but you're better checking that.

SiB · 2008-08-15 16:19:15

Yea well the project is just in it's infancy, I'm currently evaluating the possibilities.

I don't know if the community would be interested to contribute if I decide to open up the product. That would really set it apart from other competitor products ! And then power users, tinkerers and alikes could get more out of it

Last edited by SiB (2008-08-15 16:19:39)

freakcode · 2008-08-15 18:02:26

iphitus wrote:

afaik closed can link to the LGPL, that's the point of it, but you're better checking that.

You're right here. The LGPL (formely Library GPL - changed to Lesser GPL so not to confuse people thinking it's only applied for libraries) let's you link with non-GPL code (under other opensouce or proprietary licenses). The main benefit here is that people can still use the code under this license even if their product is non-GPL, and hopefully, contribute improvements back.

pseudonomous · 2008-08-19 07:53:31

On the other hand, why do you want to use linux? For your purposes it seems like one of the BSDs might more sense. Allegedly, NetBSD is very portable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSD_licence

Then you can provide as much as you want in binary-only form.

ornitorrincos · 2008-08-19 08:54:06

let's you link with non-GPL code (under other opensouce or proprietary licenses).

I think it let's you link non-GPL compatible code, as there are GPL compatible open source licenses that can link against GPL'd code, although others can't, it's not just GPL<=>GPL

SiB · 2008-08-19 15:21:24

pseudonomous wrote:

On the other hand, why do you want to use linux? For your purposes it seems like one of the BSDs might more sense. Allegedly, NetBSD is very portable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSD_licence
Then you can provide as much as you want in binary-only form.

I don't know, I never really looked into the bsd's family

Arch Linux

#1 2008-08-12 15:20:08

Selling linux ?

#2 2008-08-12 15:39:09

Re: Selling linux ?

#3 2008-08-12 15:39:59

Re: Selling linux ?

#4 2008-08-12 15:46:14

Re: Selling linux ?

#5 2008-08-12 16:10:39

Re: Selling linux ?

#6 2008-08-12 16:13:54

Re: Selling linux ?

#7 2008-08-12 16:21:39

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#8 2008-08-12 18:47:22

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